Gaston Ramirez has declared himself happy at Saints in the face of continued interest from Fiorentina.

The 22-year-old enjoyed an up and down first season at St Mary’s following his club record £12m move last summer, and had been linked with a move back to Italy.

Fiorentina are understood to be interested in offering Saints the same as they paid for him a year ago in a bid to tempt him back to Serie A.

However, Ramirez insists he is happy where he is.

“There is a lot of talk about the transfer market but I think I'll stay at Southampton,” Ramirez told the Italian media.

“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.”

As reported in last Friday’s Daily Echo, Saints have been linked with a potential move for a second Uruguayan to join Ramirez at St Mary’s – Gonzalo Bueno.

“I know him well,” said Ramirez. “He has great quality and he would give us a helping hand if he came to Southampton.”