Southampton poised to land Atletico Madrid striker Luciano Vietto

According to the football transfer rumours in Spanish Media (AS), Southampton are poised to land Atletico Madrid striker Luciano Vietto.

The Argentina international has joined Atletico Madrid from Villarreal for a fee in the region of 20 million euros in July 2015. The 23-year-old has a valid contract with Atletico Madrid until June 2020. In July 2016, Vietto was sent to Sevilla on a season-long loan.

Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid, Luciano Vietto has scored 10 goals and provided 5 assists in 31 games for Sevilla in all competitions last season.

The Argentina international has been in impressive form for Atletico Madrid this season.

Luciano Vietto has represented Argentina at Under-20 level, winning four caps and scoring two goals.

Adding a striker remains Southampton’s top priority this summer and Mauricio Pellegrino will have drafted a shortlist of a number of possible targets he could approach in the coming weeks.

Mauricio Pellegrino will reportedly be handed a huge transfer kitty this summer and the Atletico Madrid striker is thought to be among the manager’s priorities.

Southampton are in the market for just a handful of statement signings this summer who can improve the first-team.

The Argentina international is a player who has impressed many European clubs in the last season, and it is understood that Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino would prefer playing him as a striker.

According to the report in Spanish Media, Southampton are in advanced talks to sign Luciano Vietto.

Atletico Madrid are not in a position where they need to sell and would like to keep hold of the striker, but right offer may force the club to consider a deal.

How strong that interest is and whether Southampton will make a summer move remains to be seen but it is certainly one worth keeping an eye on.