If reports in Italy are to be believed, West Brom are edging closer to the signing of Napoli forward Manolo Gabbiadini.
The 25-year-old looks set to complete a move to the Hawthorns, with Albion reportedly paying €20m to bring him in from the Serie A side.
For those who watch Italian football on a regular basis, Gabbiadini will be a familiar name and face, but for those who don’t, he’s probably a bit of a mystery.
To help everybody get to know the man who will hopefully be Albion’s newest player and learn more about him, we’ve put together a fact file looking at his life and career so far.
Have a look through, take in some of the facts and use them to impress your family and friends when a discussion about the teenager crops up in the near future!
The Basics
Manolo Gabbiadini is a 25-year-old forward from Napoli. He is a versatile player who can play up front, as a number ten or on the wing.
Why is he leaving Napoli?
Despite being just 25, West Brom, if a deal goes through, will be Gabbiadini’s fifth permanent side.
He’s leaving Napoli in search of regular first team action as the Italians are using Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon as a front three and Gabbiadini can’t break in.
The Stats
Gabbiadini has made 19 appearances for Napoli in all competitions, but he’s only played the whole 90 minutes twice. He’s come off the bench nine times and been taken off eight times.
In these 19 appearances, he’s scored five goals, including two in his last two games.
In his entire Serie A career, he’s scored 38 goals in 158 games.
International status
Gabbiadini has six caps for Italy, but they’ve come sporadically. He made his debut in 2012, but didn’t get a second cap until 2014. He’s since earned four more, but hasn’t featured since 2015.
He’s scored one international goal, a strike in a friendly with Romania in November 2015.
What type of player is he?
He’s predominantly left-footed player who is known for his exceptional movement and intelligence. He’s very good with his back to goal and takes a decent set-piece too.
Sporting family
Gabbiadini’s sister Melania is also a footballer who plays as a forward for Italy’s women’s side.