Saints are watching the Italian squad at the Euro's carefully this summer, but it isn't just Graziano Pelle they are monitoring.

Saints are reported to be interested in Italian midfielder Stefano Sturaro of Juventus, but they face stiff competition.

23 year old Sturaro can play in a number of positions in the midfield, but is most comfortable in the centre either in a ball winning defensive role or as a box to box type of player.

He started his career with Genoa before joining Juventus in the summer of 2014 for 5.5 million euros wit the ability to double that fee with add ons, half of which have already been achieved.

He was immediately sent back to Genoa on loan for 2014/15 season but recalled in the January, to become a vital cog in the Juve side which won the Italian title for the fourth year in a row.

In 2015/16 Juventus again won the title and the Italian cup with Sturaro playing 19 matches and in doing so breaking into the Italian squad for whom he has gained two caps both as sub.

Juventus however consider that he is becoming a vital part of their squad and are planning n offering him a greatly improved contract on his return from France.

Saints are one of a number of clubs who are interested in Sturaro, also in the frame are Chelsea, Leicester, Crystal Palace fro the Premier League with Tuttosport in Italy also claiming that Moscow clubs CSKA & Locomotiv are also lurking.

If Sturaro can be prised away from Juventus then it would be Leicester who would perhaps be the biggest rival for his signature, at Chelsea he would probably be a bit part player, whereas Leicester could not only offer him a regular spot in the team but Champions League football.

Photo: Action Images

michaeljoycetf added 10:26 - Jun 21 We all know that the show must go on and if players leave they have to be replaced. I personally feel that we should wait until we have a new manager before we plough into the transfer market. Whoever it turns out to be will undoubtedly have views and opinions about players he is happy to work with. He may also have an influence on whether a player wants to take a chance with us or not. Nothing wrong with window shopping though.

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SanMarco added 10:29 - Jun 21 I expect it would help if we had a manager, one that the player had heard of would be even better. Always assuming Sturaro is worth having of course - and who exactly is deciding that at the moment? Les could stick his head out of his door and ask Pellegrini, Garcia or Puel I suppose.
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SonicBoom added 10:46 - Jun 21 This sounds like a load of utter garbage to me.
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