Goal-shy Southampton may already regret decision to axe Manolo Gabbiadini

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Southampton failed to bring in any new signings during the January transfer window despite being stuck in a relegation battle.

New manager Ralph Hasenhuttl targeted a number of players but none of those deals materialised.

Instead, the Saints got rid of a few players, including Cedric Soares, Steven Davis and Wesley Hoedt.

But they also sold Manolo Gabbiadini on a permanent deal to Italian club Sampdoria. And they may already be regretting this decision.

The 27-year-old scored 12 times in 60 matches for Southampton, although he had only found the net once in 15 games this season.

But in glimpses, Gabbiadini has shown that he is a natural finisher and with the right service, he could score goals for Southampton.

And his form at Sampdoria has already caught the eye, despite only starting one game so far.

In five Serie A outings, Gabbiadini has already scored twice, averaging a goal every 68 minutes, as per Who Scored.

The 11-cap Italy international came off the bench for the last 15 minutes against Inter Milan over the weekend and scored straight away to equalise, although Sampdoria did lose 2-1 in the end.

Southampton are struggling with their options in attack with Danny Ings and Michael Obafemi’s injury concerns, Charlie Austin’s inconsistency and Shane Long’s lack of goals.

Gabbiadini could have added another option and rediscovered his touch under Hasenhuttl. But instead, he is scoring goals for Sampdoria.