BREAKING: Mario Lemina signs for Southampton from Juventus
By Chris Hughes
Southampton have today announced their second signing of the summer, bringing in Mario Lemina from Serie A champions Juventus.
After a relatively slow start to the summer window, the Saints have today officially completed a move for 23-year-old Mario Lemina, who leaves Juventus in what could be a record deal for Southampton.
It’s believed that the fee involved is £16 million up front, but it could rise to as much as £20 million thanks to performance-based add-ons. He has signed a five-year deal on the south coast.
Lemina made 29 appearances last season in Turin, but has been deemed surplus to requirements by Massimiliano Allegri this summer. As a result, Stoke City were leading the race to sign him with Valencia, Everton and West Ham all interested before Saints pounced late.
The Gabonese international only signed permanently for Juve last summer in a deal worth around £9-10 million after a successful loan spell, but with the talent in the middle of the park he’s ultimately struggled to fully make his mark with the champions.
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Where will he fit in?
A powerful yet all-rounded midfielder, Lemina is known for his forward runs and often takes enjoyment from running at defenders with his strong, six-foot frame.
Despite this he possesses all the qualities of a defensive-midfielder, and he will only grow as a footballer thanks to his tender age of 23.
Lemina’s fee almost demands that he have some first-team role at Southampton, meaning he will likely line up next to Oriol Romeu in Mauricio Pellegrino’s 4-2-3-1 set-up.
With Romeu being more defensively disciplined it would allow Lemina more freedom to make driving runs and cause problems for defenders, without leaving the side vulnerable at the back.
It would also add another dimension to the Southampton team, as despite Steven Davis’ ability on the ball he doesn’t the same physicality as Lemina on both the front and back foot.