Once considered a great talent at Bologna, Gastón Ramírez’s career then took a five year detour in England when Southampton spent £14m on his services in 2012.
Then came loans to Hull City and Middlesbrough, with the latter eventually welcoming him on a free in 2016.
He only spent a year on a permanent contract at the Riverside as Sampdoria, where former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri recently took over, spent £8m to bring him back to Italy in 2017.
Things have improved for him a bit since then, although this season has been tough, as he’s spent more time on the bench than off it.
However, Ranieri taking over has helped him get back onto the field, and he’s repaid his manager with a goal and an assist in the 65 minutes he’s played so far.
Speaking to Il Secolo XIX, the attacking midfielder revealed he came very, very close to moving to the King Power Stadium back when Ranieri was in charge.
He said, relayed by SampNews24: “He already wanted me at Leicester City and I had even travelled by car from Middlesbrough on the last day of the transfer window to go and sign, but halfway there, they stopped me.”
That will have been a kick in the teeth for the Uruguayan, who could have seen his time in England prolonged had the move gone through.
Then again, perhaps it’s for the best now, and he’s finally with the manager who really wanted him, and one who’s very happy to tell the world about it.
Relayed by TuttoMercatoWeb, Ranieri told the media in a press conference: “I adore Gaston Ramírez. I already wanted him when I was at Leicester City, and I’m sure he’ll lend us a big hand (against Atalanta this weekend).”
