West Ham are lining up a summer bid for Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini, according to Tuttosport. The Italian newspaper also report that Southampton are keeping tabs on the 25 year old.
Neither Premier League club is believed to be prepared to pay Napoli’s asking price during the January transfer window. The club’s owner Aurelio De Laurentiis would like the player to go out on loan for a fee with a €22million (£19m) compulsory purchase at the end of the season.
Neither the Hammers or any other club seem to be willing to make a bid because of De Laurentiis’s excessive demands, and the player’s representatives are struggling to find a club who would make a deal in this window.
It therefore looks likely a summer move will take place with De Laurentiis said to be willing to reduce his valuation by €2million to €20m or £17.5million.
Considering Gabbiadini’s poor goalscoring record this season with just five goals in 19 appearances, there is a danger it could turn out to be a deal similar to Simone Zaza’s. The Italian international has now finally joined Valencia after a disastrous spell in England.
