Southampton signs Gaston Ramirez from Bologna

zocoss SG

• Lyon confirm Spurs had bid rejected for goalkeeper Lloris
• Ramírez's agent says Tottenham's wages a stumbling block

Hugo Lloris

Lyon have confirmed that they rejected an offer from Tottenham for their goalkeeper Hugo Lloris this summer, while the agent of Gastón Ramírez has claimed the north London club have bid for the Bologna forward.

Spurs' current No1, Brad Friedel, turned 41 in May and the France keeper Lloris, 25, would provide André Villas-Boas with a much younger alternative.

"Hugo wants to play at one of the best clubs in Europe," the Lyon chairman, Jean-Michel Aulas, told the French radio station RMC. "This year there was an approach from Tottenham that was quickly rejected. If he absolutely wants to leave, we will look at the proposals but they must be consistent with what we want. If not, he will stay."

Spurs have also made an offer for Ramírez, according to the Bologna forward's agent.

"The only solid offer is the one from Tottenham, who offered €16m [£12.6m]," Oscar Betancourt told Calciomercato. "But the deal didn't go through because Spurs offered too low a wage to the player and if the wage difference is minimal he would stay at Bologna.

"Tottenham could raise their offer if they sell Modric and in that case the deal could be done, otherwise Ramírez will stay another year at Bologna. We also talked with Liverpool but nothing more."

zocoss SG

Liverpool and Tottenham are battling over Gaston Ramirez

OLYMPIC star Gaston Ramirez is in the middle of a tug of war contest between Spurs and Liverpool, with the Bologna ace likely to head to White Hart Lane if they increase their wage offer.

The wing-centric attacking midfielder has held talks with Tottenham and could join the Londoners if they significantly increase his weekly wages, it has been reported.

The 22-year-old wants to leave Bologna this summer and has been linked with a move to Anfield.

But his agent, Oscar Betancourt, says Tottenham are the only club to have bid for the 21-year-old Uruguay and Bologna player.

“The only solid offer is the one from Tottenham, who offered £12.6m,” Betancourt is quoted as saying.

“But the deal didn’t go through because Spurs offered too low a wage to the player and if the wage difference is minimal he would stay at Bologna.”

Betancourt says his client could still complete a move to White Hart Lane if Spurs increase their offer of wages, which could be made possible by the sale of want-away schemer Luka Modric.

Oscar Betancourt, Gaston Ramirez's agent

“Tottenham could raise their offer if they sell Modric and in that case the deal could be done, otherwise Ramírez will stay another year at Bologna. We also talked with Liverpool but nothing more.”

Liverpool have already lost out to Spurs in the race for attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson so are unlikely to be happy if Ramirez also snubbed Anfield for the London club.

zocoss SG

Ramirez, 21, will become the highest-paid player in Saints’ history by snubbing Spurs and Liverpool to sign a £50,000-a-week deal at St Mary’s.

Saints chairman Nicola Cortese flew into the UK from Switzerland to seal the move, which dwarfs the £6.5m he paid Burnley for striker Jay Rodriguez.

Midfielder Ramirez said: “Southampton have reached agreement with me, it is the classic offer you cannot refuse.

“They believe in me. I will be essential and the club will grow.”

zocoss SG

Southampton have completed the signing of Gaston Ramirez from Bologna on a four-year deal.

Ramirez, 21, had been linked with a number of top European clubs, including Inter Milan, Liverpool, Tottenham, but it is Southampton, newly promoted from the Championship, who have won the race for his services.

"A lot of hard work has gone in from the football club with a lot of negotiations behind the scenes to get this deal done," manager Nigel Adkins told the club's official website. "Great credit to everyone because we have a young, exciting talent joining us who is one of the best around.

"The chairman has gone and backed this deal big-time with the financial outlay, and what we have got is one of the most exciting prospects in world football coming to St Mary's. There is a lot of ambition at the football club and we are all delighted that Gastón is going to come and join us."

It is believed the Uruguay international cost Southampton around £12 million.