Italian legend in Saints link

Southampton are hoping to succeed with a shock post-deadline day move for free agent Italian striker Alessandro Del Piero.

Reports in Italy claim the Saints have offered the former Juventus star a contract to move to St Mary's. The 37-year-old forward looked set to sign for Australian side FC Sydney last week, but that deal has yet to be formalised. Del Piero is also said to be attracting interest from Celtic, Portuguese side Braga and Swiss outfit Sion. Saints boss Nigel Adkins has already seen his attacking options significantly bolstered this summer, with the signings of Jay Rodriguez from Burnley, Emmanuel Mayuka from Young Boys and Gaston Ramirez from Bologna. "We're a newly-promoted football club, the chairman's done great, we've just bought a few more players in the transfer window," he said.