OPINION
After narrowly avoiding an embarrassing relegation to the Championship, Mark Hughes has gone about reinforcing his Southampton side with quality additions to make sure the threat of the drop does not trouble them next season.
The likes of goalkeeper Angus Gunn, defender Jannik Vestergaard and winger Mohamed Elyuonoussi have all made the move to the south coast, and fans at St Mary’s will be turning their attentions to some new strikers.
The Saints currently have the liked of Shane Long, Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini to turn to in their hopes of firing home some goals, but it appears Hughes wants yet another hitman to bolster his options.
Journalist Oliver Bond, who writes for Anfield HQ and has featured in the Mirror and the Liverpool Echo, claims on his personal Twitter account that the club are in for Liverpool’s England forward Danny Ings on a permanent swoop – and if that is the case, then there must be someone leaving Southampton.
https://twitter.com/Oliver__Bond/status/1019359307006136321
With just nine goals in 39 appearances, and a mere 11 starts last season, it is Gabbiadini who should be shown the exit door, having failed to capitalise on what was a bright start to his career in England.
The Italian international just has not shown the goal scoring threat that the Saints need up top, and his lack of movement and effort means he is not as useful a squad player as the likes of Austin and Long, who get themselves about and hassle the defence.
Ings would bring that same energy after a nightmare career at Anfield, and Gabbiadini must be in the firing line for the bin should such a move come off for the one-cap England hitman.