Southampton boss Nigel Adkins is confident of signing Uruguayan Gaston Ramirez from Bologna. The 21 year old has also attracted interest from Liverpool or Tottenham but the Saints are now favourites for the winger's signature.
Adkins said: "We are very, very close. All being well, he will become our player."
With the fee for Ramirez thought to be at around £12m pounds, any move would break the club's transfer record set earlier in the summer when Jay Rodriguez from ChampionshipBurnley arrived for £7m.