Inter Milan open Gaston Ramirez talks?

Inter Milan have reportedly entered preliminary talks with Southampton over the signing of playmaker Gaston Ramirez.

The Uruguay international joined Saints for a club-record fee of £12m last summer, but has been persistently linked with a move away from St Mary's during the close season.

Despite Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino's insistence that Ramirez is happy at the club, Inter want to sign the midfielder in a £13m deal, according to The Mirror.

The 22-year-old scored five goals in 26 Premier League appearances last season, including strikes against Arsenal and Newcastle United.

Ramirez has been mentioned in connection with Atletico Madrid in recent weeks, but Inter are believed to be confident of using the midfielder's previous Serie A experience to seal a summer swoop.