Rumour Reel: Southampton seeking Gabbiadini as Pelle replacement

Lee Gormley | August 8, 2016

Coral’s rumour reel

The new season is upon us, with the annual curtain raiser the Community Shield having been won by Manchester United at Wembley, meaning Premier League clubs will be hoping to enjoy a quick flurry of transfer activity before the anticipated kick-off next week.

Saints seeking Gabbiadini deal

One such side is Southampton, with the Saints having stepped up their interest in landing Napoli’s Italy international striker Manolo Gabbiadini this summer, after making initial contact with the Serie A outfit over a potential deal.

The south coast club saw former star players Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama depart St Mary’s in this transfer window but managed to add Nathan Redmond and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as promising replacements.

Italy marksman Graziano Pelle also left the club in order to unexpectedly join Chinese side Shandong Luneng, and recently appointed boss Claude Puel is hoping to secure Gabbiadini to fill the void left by their departed forward.

The 24-year-old attacker has boosted his reputation as one of the most promising young strikers to have emerged from Serie A, with Napoli having forked out £12m for his services last year, though he has failed to cement a regular first-team spot and Saints will look to capitalise.

Tottenham close to N’Koudou capture

In the capital, Tottenham are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for Marseille winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, with the 21-year-old’s potential arrival set to see out-of-favour Clinton Njie head in the opposite direction to Ligue 1.