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Gaston Ramirez wants to quit Southampton and join Italian giants AC Milan, his agent has claimed.

Uruguay World Cup star Ramirez has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League since joining Saints from Bologna in a then club record £12m deal in the summer of 2012.

The midfielder, 23, who could replace MLS-bound Kaka at the San Siro, has made only 17 Premier League appearances this season, scoring one goal.

Ramirez’s agent Pablo Betancourt said: “It would be a weighty inheritance to replace Kaka, but an honour for Gaston. How could you say no to Milan, who are one of the best clubs in Europe?

“It would be an important opportunity for him. We are trying to understand which team can make the right offer to Saints.

"Ramirez played very well in Italy and many Serie A clubs remember him positively.

"Ramirez was very happy in Serie A and would be content to come back to Italy, but first any club needs to reach an agreement with Southampton.

“Has it been a season to forget? Absolutely yes. He hardly ever plays, yet two summers ago the club made an important investment to buy him.

“Today you cannot say he’s important for Southampton, seeing as he always starts from the bench.”