Agent: Southampton transfer completed following talks with this striker

GETTY

Graziano Pelle had a hand in Manolo Gabbiadini's move to Southampton

Manolo Gabbiadini joined Southampton in January for a club record £14million from Napoli.

He has been an instant success at St Mary's, scoring three goals in two Premier League games.

And the 25-year-old's agent Silvio Pagliari has revealed Saints owe a lot to former striker Graziano Pelle who helped convince Gabbiadini to sign.

GETTY

Manolo Gabbiadini is Southampton's record signing

"He spoke to Graziano Pelle, with whom he was called up to international duty with Italy," Pagliari told Italian outlet CalcioMercato.

"He spoke in glowing terms of Southampton, both the team and the city. He also knew Giaccherini, who had already played in England.

“Manolo has made himself popular both on the pitch and off it, he’s had no problems fitting into the squad."

Premier League Done Deals: Every transfer in during January 2017
Thu, February 2, 2017

Express Sport brings you up to date with every new arrival in the Premier League during the January transfer window

Play slideshow

Getty Images

1 of 53

Who has your club signed in the January transfer window?

And Pagliari believes Gabbiadini will remain with the Premier League club long term, ruling out a swift return to Italy for his client.

Southampton have invested a lot in him… he wants to pay it back

Silvio Pagliari

“Manolo is happy in England, and wants to remain for a long time – it’s early to talk about a return to Italy," he added.

"He is in the Premier League, the most important league in the world, and wants to live this adventure to the end.

“Southampton have invested a lot in him, the most important in the club’s history, and he wants to pay it back.”

Original Article