Inter Milan have ruled out trying to tempt Southampton striker Pablo Osvaldo back to Serie A by insisting that they have never been interested in signing him.

The 27-year-old, who became the Premier League club's record signing when he joined them in a £15m deal from Roma in the summer, has scored three goals in 13 games so far.

He has been in and out of the Saints starting XI, though, and with reports claiming that he is unsettled on the South Coast, speculation surfaced that Inter were preparing to offer the Italian international a return home.

However, the San Siro outfit's sporting director Piero Ausilio has stressed that they have no intention of making a bid for Osvaldo as they are not in the market for any forward in the January transfer window.

He told Sky Sport Italia: "We have never had any idea for Osvaldo. In attack, we will remain as we are."

Osvaldo is currently serving a three-match ban after being found guilty of violent conduct.