Southampton were able to sign Manolo Gabbiadini from Napoli in the January transfer window after the Italian club vetoed a move to a Serie A rival, according to the player's agent.
Gabbiadini, 25, has scored three goals in his first two Premier League outings, but he may not have been given an opportunity to play in England had Napoli not told his agent, Silvio Pagliari, that they would not listen to any offers from other Serie A clubs.
The former Sampdoria forward, who ultimately joined Southampton on deadline day for £14.5 million, would have welcomed a move to Fiorentina, but that was out of the question.