Transfer Centre

Ronald Koeman hints at Gaston Ramirez exit

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 29 July 2015

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman hints that Gaston Ramirez's persistent fitness troubles could result in him being sold by the club this summer.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has hinted that Gaston Ramirez may be sold by the club this summer.

The Uruguayan striker arrived at St Mary's as a club-record signing in 2012, but a number of injuries have limited his first-team opportunities at the club, while he was loaned out to Hull City for the duration of last season.

His pre-season campaign has also been blighted by fitness troubles, and Koeman admitted that he is finding it "difficult" to decide on the 24-year-old's future.

"The future is difficult because Gaston has had a lot of injuries in the last two years and that's the big problem of Gaston," the Dutch boss told reporters.

"We had a good hope for this pre-season but after one week he was injured again. He didn't travel with the team to Austria or Holland and it is difficult because the rest of the players are in good shape.

"You come from behind and the past is not very positive. You know his situation."

Southampton will play their first competitive game of the new season when they welcome Dutch side Vitesse to St Mary's for the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie on Thursday night.