{"id":596911,"date":"2021-07-22T08:18:37","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T12:18:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=596911"},"modified":"2021-07-22T08:19:45","modified_gmt":"2021-07-22T12:19:45","slug":"newcastle-mario-lemina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/07\/22\/newcastle-mario-lemina\/","title":{"rendered":"Newcastle United in Talks to Sign Mario Lemina"},"content":{"rendered":"

Newcastle United<\/a> are in talks\u00a0to sign Mario Lemina from Southampton<\/a> in a \u00a34 million move, according to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail<\/a>. The midfielder spent last season on loan at Fulham, and Southampton are open to letting him leave.<\/p>\n

Newcastle Looking to Sign Mario Lemina<\/h2>\n

Lemina Not in Southampton’s Plans<\/h3>\n

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\u00a0\u20ac4 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\u00a0\u20ac9.5 million plus \u20ac1 million in add-ons.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Initially not a starter, Lemina soon forced his way into Fulham manager Scott Parker’s plans and impressed despite the club’s relegation.<\/p>\n

Mark Ashley’s Reluctance Worn Down<\/h3>\n

Newcastle’s initial interest in signing Lemina was reported last month<\/a>. A swap deal was mooted, with Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden<\/a> 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<\/a>, who impressed in a half-season loan at St. James’ Park, and Swedish midfielder Jens Cajuste, <\/a>have been linked with moves.<\/p>\n

However, scouts are impressed by Lemina, and club staff have managed to convince Ashley that paying a \u00a34 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.<\/p>\n

He has interest from Nice, though, and the French side reportedly tabled a \u20ac3.5 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.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>