Saints still hopeful of winger swoop

Southampton remain hopeful of clinching the signing of Gaston Ramirez despite the move being delayed by Bologna's financial worries.

The Saints are already believed to have reached an agreement on the fee and a payment plan to secure the signature of the 21-year-old winger. It's understood the nine-times capped Uruguay international could eventually cost the Premier League newcomers up to £12m, which would represent a club record transfer. The deal has also had to satisfy Ramirez's former Penarol, who own 30% of his registration but that aspect of the switch hasn't been a stumbling block, instead it has been Bologna's desire to secure a loan against the repayments. Southampton are determined for the transfer to go through having beaten off competition from Liverpool and Tottenham, although alternative options are being considered in case the hurdle can't be overcome before the close of the window. Ramirez has already spoken of his desire to swap Serie A for St Mary's. He revealed last week: "The English club has reached an agreement with me, it is the classic offer that you cannot refuse for my life as a whole and my family. "But they believe in me in every way, I will be essential and above all they are going to grow. "Southampton are a newly promoted team in the English top flight but they will become a big team in years to come."