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Southampton: West Ham looking to sign Mario Lemina

By Chris Hughes

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Mario Lemina of Southampton takes a look around the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Mario Lemina of Southampton takes a look around the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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With Pedro Obiang set to return to Italy, it’s being reported that the Hammers are considering a move for Southampton’s Mario Lemina.

That’s according to Sky Sports at least, who are suggesting that West Ham are eyeing up the Gabonese midfielder as a replacement for Sampdoria-bound Obiang.

The Hammers have been free-spending this summer, smashing their transfer record to sign Felipe Anderson for north of £35 million, whilst also signing Andriy Yarmolenko for £17 million and Issa Diop for a further £21 million.

However it seems like the Irons, led by Manuel Pellegrini, could be set for another big money signing, with Mario Lemina on their radar.

After a tough three years in east London, Obiang is set to return to Sampdoria, the side he previously spent five seasons with professionally, earning himself a good reputation in Italy.

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SHREWSBURY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Pedro Obiang of West Ham United during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Shrewsbury Town and West Ham United at New Meadow on January 7, 2018 in Shrewsbury, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SHREWSBURY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Pedro Obiang of West Ham United during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Shrewsbury Town and West Ham United at New Meadow on January 7, 2018 in Shrewsbury, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Although the Spaniard is slightly more defensive that the Southampton man, the two do boast several similar characteristics as they are both powerful midfielders who can crack a shot in from distance.

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However, having joined the club from Juventus for around £18 million last summer, you’d imagine that the Saints would drive a hard bargain from a fellow Premier League side, no less one that Mark Hughes could be competing with for seventh place this coming season.

Although the Hammers have been recruiting hard this window, some people have pointed out the obvious similarities between their business this year and Everton’s last summer, with the Toffees going on to enjoy a disappointing campaign despite their outlay.

Nonetheless you’d imagine that it would take a fee of around of £25-30 million for the Saints to even bat an eyelid, at which point West Ham’s summer spending would go north of £100 million, dependent on sources.

Many Southampton supporters expected Manchester City to reignite their interest in the 24-year-old after losing out on Jorginho, although nothing concrete as emerged as of yet.

The Saints desperately need to trim their squad before the new season starts and the middle of the park is arguably their deepest position, having seen Harrison Reed and Jordy Clasie return from loan, whilst Stuart Armstrong has joined from Celtic, taking the tally of midfielders to eight.

Last year Lemina scored one goal in 25 league appearances for Southampton, and was often a figure of inconsistency despite some really impressive performances. Irregardless, he remains one of the most naturally-talented players in the Saints’ squad and would be a huge loss.

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