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Juventus’ Mario Lemina linked with Southampton move

By Chris Hughes

ROME, ITALY - MAY 14: Mario Lemina of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on May 14, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images )
ROME, ITALY - MAY 14: Mario Lemina of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on May 14, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images ) /
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Southampton’s quest for a new midfielder could potentially lead them to Mario Lemina, if reports are to be believed.

According to one source, Everton and Southampton have joined the race for the 23-year-old midfielder Mario Lemina.

Having already loaned out Harrison Reed and with speculation surrounding Jordy Clasie’s future, the Saints could be in for a new midfielder this summer, especially with James Ward-Prowse having re-invented himself as a more attacking midfield player over the past season.

It remains unclear whether Steven Davis or Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will partner Oriol Romeu in midfield this coming campaign, or whether Les Reed and Mauricio Pellegrino have another ace up their sleeve.

Lemina is part of a plethora of centre-midfielders at Juventus, meaning first-team football has been relatively limited for the Gabonese international. After making his move to Turin permanent last summer he made 29 appearances, but only 19 of those came in the league.

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Mario Lemina (R) of Juventus FC celebrates a goal with team mate Marko Pjaca during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Cagliari Calcio at Juventus Stadium on September 21, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Mario Lemina (R) of Juventus FC celebrates a goal with team mate Marko Pjaca during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Cagliari Calcio at Juventus Stadium on September 21, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) /

What’s more, it’s believed that the 23-year-old is no longer part of Massimiliano Allegri’s plans, spurring links to Stoke City, West Ham, Everton and now Southampton.

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It’s also believed that he could be used as part of a cash-plus-player deal with Valencia, with Juventus keen to replace Dani Alves with their right-back Joao Cancelo.

Any direct deal for the former Marseille man would set the Saints back a solid amount of cash however – £18 million is reported fee. Lemina is under contract until 2020 and was only signed for a fee of around £9 million last summer, meaning Juve are keen to make some profit.

However the all-rounded midfielder could add another dimension to the Southampton midfield, and in the current market it’s the going rate for a solid footballer. What’s more, with the lack of activity the Saints have made so far, it’d be nice to see some movement from the club.

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