Southampton to challenge Fiorentina for unsettled Barcelona striker Cristian Tello
Spanish striker struck behind Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez at Nou Camp and may favour move to Premier League
MANAGERLESS Southampton have approached Barcelona over the possibility of signing forward Cristian Tello.
The Spaniard is considering his future at the Nou Camp after seeing his difficult path to regular first team football blocked by the irrepressible front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
Messi, Neymar and Suarez make it nigh on impossible for anyone else to make an impression up front at the Nou Camp and Tello would rather have a permanent home than be sent out on loan again.
Tello spent the second half of last season at Fiorentina where he was regularly scouted by Southampton and now the Saints are ready to make a bid for the 24-year-old.
Saints, who have lost manager Ronald Koeman to Everton, face competition from Fiorentina, who were impressed with Tello during his stint in Italy.
The striker scored twice and provided a further five assists in 15 games for the Florence outfit and the Italian club have expressed their interest in completing a permanent move.
The Saints are concerned that Italian star Graziano Pelle will link up again with Koeman at Everton, given that the Dutchman has twice signed him during his managerial career.
Southampton and Fiorentina will both contest next season's Europa League but the Saints believe the added incentive of playing in the Premier League will persuade Tello to choose them.
Meanwhile, the bookies have installed Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe as favourite to take over at St Mary’s with ex-Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, Frank De Boer of Ajax, former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andrea Villas-Boas and ex-Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes also in the frame.