Newcastle United are in talks to sign Mario Lemina from Southampton in a £4 million move, according to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail. The midfielder spent last season on loan at Fulham, and Southampton are open to letting him leave.
Newcastle Looking to Sign Mario Lemina
Lemina Not in Southampton’s Plans
Gabonese international Mairio Lemina is a product of Lorient’s academy. He made his senior debut for the club in 2012/13. Marseille signed him for €4 million in 2013. He struggled initially, but soon found his feet under Marcelo Bielsa. His performances earned him a move to Juventus, with the Turin giants signing him on an initial loan in 2015. The loan, which cost Juventus 500,000, was converted into a permanent signing in April 2016 for €9.5 million plus €1 million in add-ons.
Lemina joined Southampton in 2017. He made over 50 appearances for the club, but he wasn’t a key player. He joined Galatasaray on loan for 2019/20 and then Fulham last season. His only goal for the Londoners in 2020/21 came against Liverpool at Anfield, which handed the defending champions a sixth consecutive home defeat. Lemina is not in Southampton manager Ralph Haasenhuttl’s plans this summer. Newcastle are among a number of clubs interested in signing him.
Initially not a starter, Lemina soon forced his way into Fulham manager Scott Parker’s plans and impressed despite the club’s relegation.
Mark Ashley’s Reluctance Worn Down
Newcastle’s initial interest in signing Lemina was reported last month. A swap deal was mooted, with Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden going the other way. That fell through, however, after Mike Ashley refused to pay a transfer fee for the 27-year old. Ashley is only willing to pay for quality young players with re-sale value. Arsenal’s Joe Willock, who impressed in a half-season loan at St. James’ Park, and Swedish midfielder Jens Cajuste, have been linked with moves.
However, scouts are impressed by Lemina, and club staff have managed to convince Ashley that paying a £4 million fee for the player is a sensible move. Lemina has just one year left on his contract, so it would not be too difficult to agree a small fee.
He has interest from Nice, though, and the French side reportedly tabled a €3.5 million move. Newcastle, therefore, have to act swiftly to convince him. Talks are professing, and a three-year deal has been offered to the midfielder.
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