SAINTS have reportedly made a ‘concrete proposal’ for Bologna midfielder Mattias Svanberg, who is refusing a new contract with the Serie A club.

The 23-year-old Sweden international’s current deal in Italy expires at the end of next season, which could force them to cash in on the promising talent early.

Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport detail that Napoli also share an interest in the two-time Swedish champion, who arrived at Bologna from Malmo in 2018.

The Naples club have reportedly informed his team of their interest, but the Premier League is the more attractive proposition despite their European football status.

They add his agent went on a tour, including England, and for now Saints have come forward with a £8.5million offer.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are ‘willing to get serious’ to bring the right-footed central midfielder to the country for next season.

Svanberg missed just two matches of the Serie A season this campaign, scoring three times and laying on three assists as his side finished 13th in the table.

He has been capped 20 times for Sweden and has nearly 200 senior games to his name already, despite only turning 24 next year.

If acquired, Svanberg could offer quality rotation to 30-year-old Oriol Romeu – whose contract expires next summer – or play consistently alongside captain James Ward-Prowse.

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