Southampton battling on three fronts as Italian side join Man Utd and Arsenal in raid plot

FIORENTINA are reportedly preparing a bid for Southampton striker Graziano Pelle, with the raid on St Mary's expected to continue.

 

Wanyama, Mane (top left) and Pelle (right) each have Premier League clubs eyeing their signatures

 

Saints are already battling to retain two star men this winter, Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama, from the clutches of Premier League rivals.

Manchester United are known suitors of Mane, 23, despite failing to land him with a late bid in the summer.

Another offer for the ace is expected before February's deadline as manager Louis van Gaal seeks goals.

And Arsenal are keen to take midfielder Wanyama off Southampton's books with a £20million deal thought to be in the offering.

 

Saints boss Ronald Koeman is determined to keep his top performers after seeing a wealth of talent leave the club over the past two seasons.

Yet Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claim the Dutchman may struggle to retain Pelle.

Fiorentina are already on the hunt for an attacker to replace Khouma Babacar, who is set to quit the club.

Babacar, 22, is wanted by both Crystal Palace and Sunderland, having scored six goals in 14 appearances for Fiorentina this season.

 

Pelle, 30, has himself netted nine times for Saints this term but has not played since 19 December due to a knee injury.

He is expected to make Italy's squad for the European Championships this summer.

As for Koeman, the 52-year-old has successfully coped with the departures of a number of major names to keep the club away from a relegation scrap this season.

Last summer, Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin were sold for a combined £37.5m to Liverpool and United respectively.

 

Arsenal want to sign Victor Wanyama in a £20m deal this summer

 

Koeman had joined Saints the year before, just after Mauricio Pochettino had quit the club for Tottenham, and oversaw the departures of Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers.

Interest in Pelle, Wanyama and Mane has so far been resisted by the club but that could change by the summer.

Wanyama, especially, has been linked with a move to Arsenal once the season is over.

The Kenya international, 24, joined Saints from Celtic in a £12.5m deal back in 2013 and Arsenal have reportedly been told they can have him come July.

 

Manchester United are keen on Sadio Mane after failing to land him in the summer

 

United first went in for Senegal international Mane when they had their pursuit of Barcelona winger Pedro hijacked by Chelsea.

Pedro was all set to sign for the Old Trafford club before Chelsea negotiated a deal with Barca days before the summer transfer deadline.