After recently links with a summer move to St James’ Park, The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder has confirmed that Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina is on the club’s transfer shortlist.
He’s revealed that chief scout and head of recruitment Steve Nickson was spotted at Craven Cottage back in May to carry out a personal scouting mission, watching the Fulham loanee attempt to keep Scott Parker’s side in the Premier League.
This comes after The Mail reported yesterday that we were plotting a move for the Gabon International, with The Guardian also reporting back in April that we’d spoken to the player’s representatives over a £7m summer move.
The former Juventus man cost Southampton £18m back in August 2017, however he looks likely to leave St Mary’s on a cut-price fee this summer now he’s entered the final 12 months of his contract.
He’s the sort of dynamic midfielder we lack, yet any move for the 27-year-old would make you wonder where things stand over a return for former loan star Joe Willock.
That said, with Matty Longstaff expected to leave on loan, Jeff Hendrick slipping down the pecking order and Bruce opting for a three-man midfield over the final few weeks of last season, perhaps we could look to sign both?
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