Ever since he emerged as a talent in Poland, Bartlomiej Dragowski has found himself linked to the Premier League.
He eventually ended up at Fiorentina, but the player has had his ups and downs there, going from starter to a loan spell at Empoli before being transferred permanently to Spezia in the summer.
However, there was a lot of talk that Southampton were interested in the player, and it appears he came close to a move to St Mary’s.
This is what the player revealed in an interview, explaining the reasons why he didn’t get the move to the Saints he wanted, ending up at Spezia instead.
Speaking to Tuttosport, he said: “I didn’t get a work permit over nothing, the equivalent in minutes of three Serie A matches. The minimum to be able to work in England as a foreigner. I have not regretted it at all. I chose the best team I could at this moment.
“Do they still want me in England? I’m no longer young and naive, and indeed, with age, you understand you can’t plan exactly. So what happens in the future will happen.”
It appears then that a lack of minutes was the cause for his failed transfer to Southampton, who eventually decided to sign Gavin Bazunu from Manchester City in a €14m deal.
He has since been the starter under both Ralph Hasenhüttl and Nathan Jones, but has conceded 33 goals in 18 Premier League appearances to date, keeping just one clean sheet.
Not all of it is his fault, of course, but maybe some will wonder whether Dragowski could have done a better job for Southampton.
