REPORTS from Italy name Saints as one of a number of clubs watching Frosinone ace and young centre-back Federico Gatti.

Gatti, 23, only made his Serie B debut this season after arriving from a third division team in the summer, but has gained big admiration all over the country.

The tall defender, who has been described as “(Georginio Chiellini with (Leonardo) Bonucci’s feet,” by the Frosinone CEO has played 17 league games for the promotion-chasers this campaign.

As well as scoring three goals himself, including a brace against SPAL in December, only two teams have a better defensive record than Frosinone at this stage (18 goals conceded in 19 matches).

Such is testament to his rise that, according to Italian publication Alessio Porcu, Torino, Juventus, Napoli, Atalanta and AC Milan of Serie A are interested.

Now they are reporting that Saints have joined that race and are keeping tabs on the player.

Gatti is contracted to the club until 2025 and Frosinone reportedly want €10million to part ways with him, and Torino have already offered part of that for a loan deal the report goes on to say.

Saints are the only English side reported to have an interest in the centre-back, affectionately referred to as the ‘Tower of Pisa’.

Alessio Porcu suggest that that bid from Torino could open an ‘auction-style’ bidding war for the talent, which could move quickly ahead of the window slamming shut on January 31.