RAFA Benitez’s Napoli have joined the race for Saints target Davide Astori.

The 26-year-old Cagliari defender has attracted interest from Saints in the past.

And the fact the club are in the market for another centre half this summer – they only have four senior men in that role at present – has led to the links resurfacing once again both in England and Italy.

Saints came close to landing him in the January transfer window, with Astori’s agent confirming the interest, but Saints ended up signing Norwegian Vegard Forren as additional cover at that stage.

Reports in Italy suggest that Saints have revived their interest as executive chairman Nicola Cortese and manager Mauricio Pochettino start to try and find the best players available for the best possible price.

The club have also been linked with Lyon central defender Dejan Lovren, 23, who is valued at around £12m.

Astori could be a first choice target if the fee is sensible, though Napoli have joined AC Milan in the hunt for his signature.

New Napoli boss Benitez is reported to be keen to build his side around the central defender.

Astori came through the AC Milan youth ranks but, by the time he left for Cagliari in 2008, hadn’t made a senior appearance for the club.

He has now made over 100 appearances for Cagliari and, having turned down a big money move to Spartak Moscow last summer, could still take some convincing to go anywhere.

Saints, though, are an appealing option given their Premier League status, financial clout and lofty ambitions for next season.

Liverpool could also be rivals for Croatian international Lovren – who was sent off three times in the French League last season – should Lyon decide to sell.

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.”