Southampton have made a move for Empoli midfielder Riccardo Saponara.

Local media sources say Saints have made contact with Empoli and made an offer to Saponara.

The midfielder was close to joining Bologna earlier this summer, only for negotiations to fall through.

Saponara remains keen on moving on and Empoli accept he needs to leave for a bigger stage.

Saints are now pushing to close his signing before Wednesday's transfer deadline.