<
>

Dani Osvaldo set to join Porto for free after Southampton release - sources

Former Southampon striker Dani Osvaldo is set to join Porto on a free transfer, sources have told ESPN FC.

Osvaldo, 29, is a free agent after Southampton decided to terminate his contract two years early following a controversial spell at St Mary's.

The Italy international joined Southampton from Roma in a club-record deal of £14.6 million in the summer of 2013, but was loaned back to Italy after less than six months in England.

Osvaldo was shipped out on loan to Juventus for the second half of the 2013-14 campaign after a training ground bust-up with teammate Jose Fonte.

Further loan spells at Inter Milan and Boca Juniors followed before Southampton decided to cut their losses on the striker.

A number of clubs have expressed an interest in Osvaldo, but Porto are in pole position to land the forward.

Porto are in the market for striking reinforcements having lost Jackson Martinez to Atletico Madrid, and they can offer Osvaldo the opportunity of playing Champions League football this season.