The Southampton fans in the Transfer Tavern are hoping that Mark Hughes will make a handful of additions to his squad this summer to ensure they avoid another nerve-jangling relegation scrap next season.
Mark Hughes will need to add quality to his squad this summer, but Southampton’s history suggests their immediate priority should be to keep hold of their most talented players. The Saints have established a reputation as a selling club due to their transfer history which has seen them sell all of their most talented players in seasons gone by.
The vast majority have swapped St Mary’s for Anfield, but recent reports from the Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Calciomercato) suggest Manolo Gabbiadini could be set to complete a transfer to Parma this summer.
The newly-promoted side are expressing an interest in securing his signature and understandably so. During his stint in English football, the 26-year-old striker has demonstrated a clinical instinct in the penalty area which would serve Parma well in their bid to retain their Serie A status next season, so it’s no surprise the Southampton supporters are hoping they will keep hold of their star striker this summer.
Gabbiadini struggled for goal-scoring form during the most recent campaign, but unambitious tactics and lacklustre performances from midfield have largely been blamed for his sub-standard return.
In response to reports from Italy, the Saints faithful on Twitter turned out in their numbers to urge Gabbiadini to remain at the club as they believe he can dramatically improve under Hughes’ leadership next season.
Here’s what the Southampton fans have had to say in response to the latest reports regarding Gabbiadini’s future…
https://twitter.com/GregSmallPT/status/1003653551686672384
https://twitter.com/hugh_melanie/status/1003689418430042113
Keep him let Sparky get the best from him he has qualities we are not making the most of
— kenton chick (@ChickKenton) June 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/dossie1954/status/1003595024918040576
Keep the lad! Build the team around his strengths. Hes a class act for me just been miss managed since he arrived.
— Liam (@liamd543) June 4, 2018
I'm in the keeping gang too. We know he can do it, has the goal poachers instinct. If he wants to go then I'd try and get more than we paid for him
— Murray Smith (@LingwoodMurray) June 4, 2018
Don’t wanna see him go. Style of play and manager didn’t suit him last season. Give him another year before writing him off
— Daniel Atkins (@DanAtkins93) June 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/scottydoo84/status/1003708786366910465
