GASTON Ramirez’s potential record move to Saints has taken another twist.

The protracted transfer saga is still not complete despite more talks between Saints and his Italian side Bologna.

Sources in Italy maintain that the clubs are more or less in agreement over a fee – but cannot agree terms on the schedule of it being paid.

Saints are believed to be prepared to meet Bolgona’s demand of 15m euros for the Uruguayan winger, pictured left, which is about £12m.

Ramirez’s former club Penarol, who still own 30 per cent of the player, are also understood to have agreed a deal with Saints to sell their share in him.

The sticking point remains a payment schedule, with the clubs struggling to find common ground. Bologna are insistent that they want the vast majority of the cash – as much as 10m euros – up front to allow them to go and buy replacements, with the rest of the cash coming within a year.

Most clubs though do try to follow the path that Saints wish to take which is to spread the payment over a longer period, often the length of a player’s contract, which in this instance would be four years.

The player himself is understood to still be very keen to come to St Mary’s, become the club’s record signing and highest ever paid player on wages estimated to be £60,000-£70,000 a week.

It is understood that other potential suitors for Ramirez in the shape of Tottenham, Liverpool and Inter Milan are looking elsewhere at this moment in time.

Saints are keen to get the deal done having put so much work into it and with time ticking down until the close of the transfer window, but will only complete the transfer if they can come to what they regard as acceptable terms.

The 21-year-old Ramirez would fit into Nigel Adkins ’ squad as an attacking talent, and would probably occupy one of the wide positions supporting the main striker in the new 4-3- 3 style formation.

Ramirez started his career at Penarol in Uruguay but was snapped up by Bologna two years ago for 2.5m euros.

He has gone on to score 12 goals in 58 appearances for the Italian side and won nine caps for Uruguay.

He was most recently seen playing for his country in the Olympics .