Having endured relegation with Hull City, it has been confirmed that on-loan defender Andrea Ranocchia will not be staying with the Tigers beyond his spell this season and will now return to Inter Milan.
However, with his chances of making the starting eleven at San Siro limited, Italian outlet Calcio Mercato have linked Southampton with a move this summer.
Ranocchia was in the Inter Milan team which lost 2-1 against Puel’s side in the Europa League earlier this season.
The Saints, who could well be in the market for a top defender this summer with the potential departure of key man Virgil van Dijk, are in need of bolstering at the back with Maya Yoshida and Jack Stephens, 3rd and 4th choice respectively at the start of the season, having formed the first team partnership for the back-end of the season.
Ranocchia, a 21-cap Italian international, made 16 appearances for Marco Silva’s side in his time in England scoring twice and assisting another two, however, was at fault for Crystal Palace’s opener in the loss which confirmed their relegation.
The 29-year-old, who faced Southampton with Inter earlier this season, is yet to be linked with another side at this stage, effectively putting the Saints in the driving seat as we head into the summer window.