4th February 2017. By Danni Biggs
For the 2016/17 season the winter transfer window opened on the 1st Jan and closed on the 31st January at 11pm. Here we will talk about whom is Southampton's most wanted? Have the Saints taken real-longshots with their new signings, or were they already prepared in completing done deals?

The January Premier League transfer window has come to end, meaning clubs from across the land will have to make do until the summer transfer session. So, who's in and who is out? Who went where? The roundup of deadline day shows that Saints broke their transfer record and also made the biggest move this transfer, welcoming players from OGC Nice and Napoli.

Pleased to Announce Signing of Manolo Gabbiadini


Shortly after their 2-1 defeat to Swansea on Tuesday at the Liberty Stadium the Saint's announced the news of their new signing Gabbiadini, a former Napoli and Sampdoria striker who also has six caps for his national team, Italy.

25-year-old Manolo cost in the region of £15 million and has signed a four-and-a-half year deal for the Premier League team, Southampton. "One of my dreams was to perform in one of the biggest leagues in the world, so now that it's happening I can't wait to start playing," Gabbiadini said.

So, who is Manolo Gabbiadini? Gabbiadini is a 25-year-old Italian striker who has played for numerous Serie A giants. He first started his footballing career in Atalanta where he made 26 appearances and had a loan spell at Cittadella in Serie B.  In 2012, the summer transfer window saw Manolo join Juventus in a co-ownership with Atalanta; however he did not play a game for the Turin side and so was loaned out to Bologna before leaving for Sampdoria in 2013. Two years ago in the winter transfer window Gabbiadini joined Napoli for a reported fee of €13 million, which was split down the middle for Sampdoria and Juventus as they both owned 50% of the player at the time.

The 2017 winter transfer window saw Manolo Gabbiadini make a record breaking transfer for Southampton. Les Reed, the Southampton director of football was pleased to get his man after tracking Gabbiadini for a while and believes that he will be a valuable addition to the Saints' attacking line-up. "We have followed his progress for a significant amount of time and have worked hard behind the scenes to agree a deal for him this month.  At the age of 25, we believe Manolo can play an important part in the remainder of the season, while still having his best years ahead of him."

Manolo Gabbiadini joined Southampton for an initial £14.5m, but could however rise to about £17m with add-ons. This contract made it the highest and biggest move of this winter's transfer window.

Southampton's Deadline Day Roundup


The winter transfer window see's Southampton add to their squad with two new additions, Manolo Gabbiadini and Mouez Hassen. Hassen a 21 year old goalkeeper joins from Nice and is on a temporary deal with the Saints up until the end of the 2016/17 campaign.  Current boss of Southampton Claude Puel linked up with Mouez in previous seasons at Nice, showing that manager Puel knows exactly what sort of addition Hassen will be to his squad. Already, at such a young age Mouez Hassen, a fast developing keeper that he is has already won 14-caps for his nation by representing France at every youth level.

Executive Director of football Les Reed said "As well as adding to our squad, we believe Mouez can continue his development in his time at Southampton and make strides in his own game under the expert guidance of our Head of Goalkeeping, Dave Watson, as well as working alongside Fraser Forster."

"I am really looking forward to joining the team." Hassen said on his arrival at St Mary's.

Goalkeeper's success is majorly influenced by their years of experience, already at the age of 21 and being part of a Premier League club shows that Hassen is a promising young goalkeeper that has plenty of potential and a successful future coming his way.

Southampton football club can also confirm that José Fonte, a 33 year old who has made 288 appearances for the Saints has joined West Ham United Â football club during the winter transfer window for an undisclosed fee. The Portuguese defender Fonte completed his £8m move from Southampton last week and made his debut for the Hammer's on Wednesday against Man City.

Following seven years at Southampton the club would like to thank José for his outstanding services and contribution as a defender and skipper for the achievements the Saints have achieved in his time there.

Now half-way through the 2016/17 campaign Southampton sit 12th on the Premier League table, let's hope that Claude Puel's new additions to his side will help move them up the table. We wait as new additions Hassen and Gabbiadini could potentially make their debut for the Saints later today against West Ham.