SOUTHAMPTON are in talks to sign Luciano Vietto from Atletico Madrid, according to reports.
The Argentine striker joined the Rojiblancos in 2015 on the back of an impressive season at Villarreal.
But struggled in the Spanish capital, with just one league goal in 19 games and was loaned out to Sevilla.
Sky Sports report that new Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino is keen to get the 23-year-old on board for next season.
Vietto started his career in 2011 in his native Argentina with Racing Club — under the guidance of Diego Simeone.
Despite interest from the likes of Liverpool and Juventus, he joined Villarreal in 2014 for around £4.5million.
He spent just one season at the El Madrigal, but bagged an impressive 20 goals in all competitions and earned a reunion with Simeone at Atletico.
Vietto struggled in the Spanish capital, however — netting just once in La Liga.
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Though, that goal was a late equaliser to salvage a draw at home to Real Madrid.
He was sent on loan to Sevilla for the 2016-17 season, where he hit ten in all competitions as Jorge Sampaoli’s side finished fourth in La Liga.
Vietto has four caps for Argentina’s Under-20s, but faces a battle to earn a senior call up, due to the immense quality of frontmen available to the Albiceleste.
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