Share

Saints ready to sell record signing Osvaldo

LONDON - Southampton are looking to sell their record signing Italian Dani Osvaldo who has been at St Mary's for less than a year, the Premier League club's new manager Ronald Koeman said.

The Saints paid AS Roma a club record fee of 15 million pounds ($25.6 million) for the 28-year-old striker last August, but he only made 13 appearances and scored three goals before joining Juventus on loan after a training-ground fight.

Koeman told BBC Radio Solent the board was now looking to offload him permanently after he failed to arrive back for pre-season training and is now on leave of absence.

"It was a difficult situation for him to come back to. He was too late, The decision of the board was to allow him not to come back," the Dutchman said.

"We have to look for opportunities for him to play in a different team."

Osvaldo scored his first goal for the Saints in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at the end of September and was on target for Italy in a World Cup qualifier against Denmark two weeks later.

But he only scored two goals more for Southampton in the next two months before was suspended for three matches and fined 40,000 pounds after being found guilty of violent conduct in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle in December.

He was then involved in a training bust-up with team mate Jose Fonte and returned to Italy on loan with Juventus.

Although Juve won the Serie A title, he scored only three goals in 18 matches and Italian coach Cesare Prandelli left him out of his World Cup squad.

Koeman also confirmed that Croatian defender Dejan Lovren, who also joined the club a year ago, had asked to leave.

"He said he would like to go, we will wait for the bid, but if there is no bid we will continue. I know the situation," he said.

Southampton have sold defender Luke Shaw to Manchester United and midfielder Adam Lallana and striker Rickie Lambert to Liverpool since the end of last season.

Lovren has also been linked with a move to Liverpool, who face Southampton on the opening day of the new season at Anfield on Aug. 16.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2247 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE