Ramirez set to be offloaded by Saints

Southampton midfielder Gaston Ramirez is set to leave the club in January, claims his agent.

Ramirez, 24, signed for Southampton in their first season of Premier League football for a hefty fee of £12 million, becoming their record signing at the time. However, the Uruguayan has very simply failed to live up to the expectations that were set for him when he signed, as he has found chances hard to come by under Ronald Koeman.

Southampton may be looking to cash in on Ramirez in January, as his contract expires in the summer which would leave the creative midfielder as a free agent. There was reported interest in the last transfer window from various Italian clubs, including former club Bologna, but no deal was agreed for Ramirez.

The 24-year-old spent last campaign at relegated Hull City, but failed to make an impression there and yet again, did not live up to his big expectations; failing to cut it in the Premier League.

His agent, Pablo Betancourt has hinted that the midfielder will be on the move in January: “As is known, the contract of Ramirez at Southampton expires next June. There is talk of an interest from Bologna, Lazio and Peñarol. Out of respect for the English club with which he is still under contract we avoid naming names.”

Betancourt told lazionews.eu: “The relationship with the leadership of the Saints is great, with us you are always well behaved. We were told that we can look for a new team and we are working to make it happen as early as January. I received interesting proposals from Italy. His preference is to return to Serie A.”

Do you think Gaston Ramirez deserves another chance at Southampton?