Southampton flop Gaston Ramirez has revealed that he would like to make his loan move to Championship club Middlesbrough permanent if they win promotion to the Premier League.

The 25-year-old, who signed for Southampton for a then club-record transfer fee of £12million in 2012, moved to Boro in a loan move in January.

Ramirez is in the last year of his contract with the Saints and will be a free agent in the summer.

The Uruguayan international said: "If Boro get promoted would I talk about staying? Why not?

"At the moment I am only thinking about this team and winning the Championship and going up. But after that...

"I feel I am good enough to play in the Premier League. I am fighting for that.

"I want to show that I can play at the top level. I want to show good I am. That is my ambition."

The former Hull City loanee has scored three goals in six league appearances for Boro, including a brace in the 2-1 win over Wolves on the weekend.

The Teessiders currently sit second on the tier two table, a point behind Burnley.