Southampton reportedly missed out on the chance to sign Marko Rog from Napoli this summer.
According to claims in Italy, the new Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti blocked the transfer as he wanted to keep the player as part of his first-team squad.
The report claims that Napoli received an offer in the region of €17 million for the player over the summer, with Southampton among the interested parties.
A host of clubs were also said to be in the running to take the player on loan, with the view to offering him regular first-team football.
Rog’s future under Ancelotti was unclear heading into the new season after failing to break into the Napoli side since his arrival.
However, with the Croatian highly rated at the club, the former Real Madrid boss saw his potential and knew he had a place in his plans at the San Paolo.
Ancelotti is keen to make up for the mistakes made by now Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri, who refused to rotate his squad during his time at the club, meaning the likes of Rog saw their development at the club stall.
