It is a public knowledge that Everton had a strong interest in Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini throughout the last summer transfer window but they failed to land the versatile and gifted forward. Napoli parted ways with the best striker in Serie A in recent years, Gonzalo Higuaín, this summer, and Gabbiadini had the chance to establish himself as the first-choice. That’s the probable reason why the Italian stayed put at Naples. However, this season has been pretty dismal for him.
TalkSPORT claims that Napoli could be willing to part ways with their prized asset as early as in January after the 24-year-old’s underwhelming start to the season. Gabbiadini has played 10 games for Napoli this season in all competitions and has managed just two goals. With Arkadiusz Milik injuring himself earlier this season, it was Gabbiadini’s big chance to make the number nine position of his own and he has failed to do it.
Quite expectedly, Napoli have lost faith in the 24-year-old and that could lead to Everton reviving their interest in the striker.
Napoli letting Gabbiadini move in January seems a bit surprising because Milik is out until February as they do not have another striker. Everton looking for a striker is quite understandable because there is too much pressure on Romelu Lukaku for the goals. The Belgian usually does not disappoint in front of the goal but with so much burden on his young shoulders, it’s too hard to deliver.
Gabbiadini is a tailor-made forward for the kind of football Ronald Koeman wants from his side. Koeman likes players who work hard for the team and the Italian fits the profile. The 24-year-old is technically and tactically a solid player and can ply his trade anywhere across the attacking third. He is primarily a number nine but his vision and work rate make him useful as a number ten or on either flank.
With Gabbiadini on board, Everton will have the option to switch to a two-man attack when needed. The Italian will give Koeman a lot of options with his versatility and can get the nod ahead of players like Mirallas, Deulofeu and Lennon on the right flank. He is just 24 years old and his best years are ahead of him. In the former Sampdoria star, Everton will have a long-term project.
Since Gabbiadini joined Napoli back in the January of 2015, he has found the back of the net just 22 times from 70 games which does not look impressive for a forward. But, most of his games for Napoli were from the bench as he had to play second fiddle to Higuaín. Minding that, his figures are not the worst. If Everton can get him for a reasonable price, it ould be a smashing deal for the future.
