Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos (bottom) and Sevilla's Federico Fazio challenge for the ball during their Spanish first division soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid February 9, 2013.
Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos (bottom) and Sevilla's Federico Fazio challenge for the ball during a La Liga match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid February 9, 2013      Reuters

Fiorentina want to bring Sevilla defender Federico Fazio to the Artemio Franchi next season, according to reports.

The Argentine, who moved to the Andalusian club in 2007 from Ferro Carril Oeste, has attracted the interest of several Premier League clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham as he has established himself as one of the most impressive centre-backs in La Liga.

Fazio, who has also been monitored by Liverpool, Everton and Southampton, is under contract at Sevilla until the summer of 2018.

However, according to the Italian newspaper La Nazione, the Italian Cup finalists are keen to bring the 27-year-old to Italy and would be willing to pay £8.3m to secure his services – even though he is only valued at around £5.5m.

This season, Fazio has fired Sevilla to a top-four place and helped them reach the last eight of the Europa League, so his departure would be a major setback at Nervion as his performance this season alongside his great union with Nico Pareja seemed to guarantee a good future for the squad.

Fazio's team-mate Diego Perotti, who is currently on loan at Boca Juniors, believes the defender is good enough to play for Barcelona – but the Catalan giants do not represent any threat after Fifa's recent transfer ban.

Perotti recently told El Desmarque Radio: "I see him at Barcelona. Fede is going to be the best central defender in Europe. With his height and his way of playing he will be the best - nothing is missing for him to be a starter at Barcelona."

Fiorentina, who are also monitoring Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, are expected to fight all the way to ensure Fazio ends up in Florence in the summer – they currently sit fourth place in Serie A, 12 points behind Napoli.