Southampton No. 10 Gaston Ramirez has insisted he is happy at the club amid reported interest from Italian Serie A side Fiorentina, Sky Sports understands.
Ramirez, 22, joined the Saints on a four-year deal from Bologna F.C. in August 2012 for a club-record transfer fee of £12 million.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder wants to stay at St Mary’s to repay the club for their “trust” in him, and rightfully so.
“There is a lot of talk about the transfer market but I think I’ll stay at Southampton,” Ramirez told tuttomercatoweb.com.
“I want to repay the trust of the club. I’m happy in England and I have always dreamed of playing in the Premier League.
“There has been talk in the past of interest from Fiorentina and they are a club that I like. But Southampton count on me a lot.”
The Uruguay international had an impressive debut campaign in the English Premier League last season, tallying five goals and three assists in 26 appearances.
Subsequently, Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino is targeting another Uruguayan starlet ahead of the summer transfer window, with the Saints reportedly interested in Nacional winger Gonzalo Bueno.
Bueno, 20, has scored 14 goals in 51 appearances for Nacional over the past three seasons, including eight goals in 28 appearances in 2012-13.
Courtois to stay at Atletico
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has chosen to stay on loan at Atletico Madrid for the third consecutive season, according to Sky Sports.
Courtois, 21, joined Chelsea from Jupiler Pro League side K.R.C. Genk in the summer of 2011, but has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Blues, with Czech Republic international Petr Čech currently keeping him out of the side.
Since replacing David de Gea, the Belgium international has been absolutely magnificent in goal for Atletico.
He has helped Los Colchoneros secure three trophies over the past two seasons: the Copa del Rey (2012-13), the UEFA Europa League (2011-12) and the UEFA Super Cup (2012).
After speaking with Jose Mourinho, the Belgian has decided to remain in Spain, where he will be guaranteed UEFA Champions League football next season.
“I’ve chosen to stay at Atletico,” said Courtois.
“I have to continue playing and at Chelsea there’s Cech who has always been a great goalkeeper.
“At Atletico I’m sure I can play and I can continue to be the first-choice keeper of the Red Devils [Belgium].
“In the course of the season, we will see if I return to London.”
The highly-rated 21-year-old shot-stopper kept 20 clean-sheets in 37 La Liga matches for Atletico Madrid last season.
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