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Juventus to tempt Southampton star Gaston Ramirez back to Italy
SOUTHAMPTON may face a battle to hold onto winger Gaston Ramirez this summer with Serie A champions Juventus keen to bring him back to Italy.
Ramirez joined Southampton from Bologna last summer for £12 million, and has had a solid first season in the Premier League making 26 appearances and scoring five goals.
The Saints would have been looking forward to the Uruguayan's performances next season with manager Mauricio Pochettino set to take charge of his first full campaign at St Mary's, but the 22-year-old could be prised away by Juventus.
According to Italian daily Tuttosport, wide-man Ramirez is a target for Juve, who are looking to bolster their squad this summer to help the compete for the Champions League.
Juventus have tracked Ramirez for two years, but missed out last August when he ignored interest from the the Turin outfit, Liverpool and Tottenham to join Southampton.
Antonio Conte's side are on the lookout for wing forwards this summer to fit into the manager's formation plans for the future, and Ramirez's experience in Serie A make him a prime candidate.
15 goals in 60 appearances in two seasons at Bologna placed him on the Old Lady's shortlist, and despite having a contract with Southampton until 2016 he could be set to return to Italy.