West Ham & Newcastle set sights on Mario Lemina

 

Speculation stemming from the English media over the last 24 hours suggests that West Ham United and Newcastle are both eyeing a summer swoop for Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina.

Cottagers stint

Lemina, 27, has been on the books of Southampton since 2017, after making the move to the Premier League from Serie A heavyweights Juventus.

The Gabon international’s time at St. Mary’s, however, has proven altogether underwhelming.

In fact, after linking up with Galatasaray on loan last summer, Lemina was farmed out once again ahead of the current campaign getting underway.

The talented midfielder made the move to Craven Cottage, to line out for Fulham on the back of the club’s top-flight return.

And Lemina, for the most part, has since gone on to impress. All told, the ex-Marseille man has racked up 25 Premier League appearances, chipping in with a solitary goal in the process.

It’s no less than Fulham have deserved! 👏

Mario Lemina picks Mo Salah’s pocket on the edge of Liverpool’s box before rifling a low effort past Alisson for the openerl! 🚀

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Fulham are thought to hold an option to buy the midfielder as part of his loan agreement, but, with Scott Parker’s men inching ever closer to a return to the Championship, such a move seems unlikely.

PL clubs keen

Ralph Hasenhuttl, however, is also not keen on the idea of Lemina linking back up with Southampton’s squad ahead of next season.

In turn, a sale elsewhere looks the most realistic outcome.

And, if the latest word doing the rounds in the media is to be believed, then the Saints shouldn’t be short on suitors, if they do indeed opt to sanction a permanent departure for their on-loan midfielder.

As per a report from The Guardian, both West Ham and Newcastle are expressing a keen interest in Lemina’s signature.

In fact, it is even suggested that ‘initial contact over a potential transfer has been made with his entourage’.

A sum of around £7 million, meanwhile, is expected to prove enough to land the 27-year-old.

West Ham and Newcastle interested in signing Southampton’s Mario Lemina https://t.co/Y5RN3j6i7w

— The Guardian (@guardian) April 29, 2021

 

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