Pochettino looks to old club Espanyol for Osvaldo stand-in
Published:A readymade replacement for volatile Southampton striker Pablo Osvaldo may have already been found in the form of Espanyol forward Christian Stuani.
The Saints are believed to be desperately searching for a last-minute replacement for the former Roma striker, who looks set to depart St. Mary’s following a training ground bust-up with teammate Jose Fonte.
Osvaldo has already received a two-week suspension for his part in the brawl and the situation appears to have alerted a number of Serie A clubs to his potential availability, with Juventus currently heading up the list of potential suitors.
Should the 28-year-old decide to cut his time in the Premier League short then Mauricio Pochettino may look to Espanyol forward Stuani, with the Uruguayan likely to be open to a move to the English top flight.
The Saints boss is an admirer of the former Reggina forward, having previously brought him to the Barcelona club during his time at the helm of the side.
And Stuani would most likely relish the chance at a reunion with the man who brought him to La Liga in August 2012, only to lose his job in November of that same year.
The 27-year-old has certainly impressed since his emergence in the Spanish top flight, scoring 11 goals in 47 games and assisting with many more besides.
Pochettino will be hoping Stuani can also gel well with current Southampton favourite Rickie Lambert – something Osvaldo has never been able to do since his summer arrival at the club.
The Espanyol man will meanwhile be hoping the move can cement his place in Oscar Tabarez’s Uruguay squad for the World Cup, with a spell in the Premier League also representing the ideal preparation ahead of his nation’s clash with England in Brazil this summer.
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