Southampton have agreed a £17 million deal to land Italian forward Manolo Gabbiadini from Napoli which could pave way for Jay Rodriguez.
Claude Puel’s Saints have beaten competition from West Ham and Everton to bring the 25 year old Manolo Gabbiadini to Saint Mary’s.
They will pay £14 million up front with the rest in add-ons after Gabbiadini agreed a four-year-deal worth £40,000-a-week.
This news can finally end Jay Rodrguez’s spell at Southampton who missed the entire 2014-15 season with a serious knee injury.
West Brom are believed to be in pursuit of the ex-England forward in order to replace Sadio Berahino who made a recent switch to Stoke City.
A bid in the region of £15 million is expected to be submitted by the Baggies.
Manolo Gabbiadini will become Southampton’s second most expensive signing after Moroccan winger Sofiane Boufal who costed £16 million from Ligue 1 side Lille.
Gabbiadini has scored 15 goals for Napoli in 55 Serie A matches and has won 6 caps for his country.