Saints playmaker linked with Italian return

Gaston Ramirez only signed for Southampton on deadline day in August, but already there is speculation linking him with a move away from the club.

Saints broke their transfer record to acquire the attacking midfielder’s services, paying around £12 million in a real statement of intent for their first season back in the top flight.  He has scored three goals in 18 appearances in the Premier League so far this campaign, as Southampton bid to avoid the drop.

A Uruguay international, Ramirez has represented his country’s senior side 13 times and also shone at last summer’s Olympics.  He played in all three of Uruguay’s games at the tournament and scored their first goal in the opening match; a 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates.

Just 22-years-old, Ramirez has achieved a great deal in his young career.  He won the Primera Division Uruguaya in his homeland in 2010, before moving to Italy to play for Bologna.  An impressive 15 goals in 60 games in all competitions for the Italian side caught the attention of several clubs across Europe and, according to Sky Sports, Fiorentina and AC Milan are now considering offers to bring Ramirez back to Serie A.

New manager Mauricio Pochettino began a revolution at St Mary’s with last weekend’s victory over champions Manchester City.  Should Southampton stay up, will Ramirez be around for another season in the Premier League?

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