Ramirez exit talk is normal, insists Southampton boss Pochettino

The newly-appointed Saints boss has moved to calm talk of Milan and Fiorentina being interested in the Uruguayan, but has hinted at managing in Italy himself one day

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has played down speculation linking Fiorentina and Milan with a summer move for Gaston Ramirez.

The club-record £12 million summer signing from Bologna has netted three times in 15 Premier League appearances this season, impressing Saints fans and neutrals alike with his pace and skill.

Ramirez's good form has led to reports linking him with a return to Italy, but Pochettino is not alarmed at reports of a possible summer exit, instead choosing to praise the Uruguayan's qualities.

"Fiorentina and AC Milan interested in Ramirez? It's normal because Gaston is a young and strong player who is proving at Southampton he can rise to the occasion," he told tuttomercatoweb.com.

Pochettino also revealed that he was interested in signing Phillipe Coutinho from Inter in January after previously managing the Brazilian at former club Espanyol, only for Liverpool to win the race for his signature.

"I often spoken with him in the last weeks of January. I had him last year at Espanyol,  I know him well. But eventually he went to Liverpool," he admitted.

But while he was unwilling to discuss the possibility of Ramirez returning to Serie A, the Saints boss did however reveal his interest in managing in Italy one day.

He continued: "Me on a Serie A bench? I like Italian football, I also have relatives in Italy. In the future, why not..."