Daily Mail provide strange update about Newcastle’s reported pursuit of Mario Lemina

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Newcastle United’s reported pursuit of Southampton’s Mario Lemina has taken a strange twist courtesy of the Daily Mail.

It was claimed yesterday that the Magpies are only willing to pay £5million for the midfielder due to the fact his contract at St Mary’s is set to expire next summer.

However, the Daily Mail added that the offer was irrespective of Mike Ashley’s attempts to sell the club.

£5million seems like a bargain. Lemina is a decent player, despite suffering relegation with Fulham last time out.

It’s a typical Ashley transfer saga though, with the Magpies looking to lowball Southampton, who had previously valued Lemina at £7million.

But less than 24 hours later, the Daily Mail have provided an update on Newcastle’s pursuit of Lemina that completely contradicts what they initially said.

Is Mario Lemina coming to Newcastle or not?

Now the Daily Mail are claiming that Southampton only want £4million for Lemina.

That seems like great news, as it’s even less than the lower fee Newcastle reportedly wanted to pay.

But now the Daily Mail state that Ashley won’t sanction the deal because of Lemina’s age. He is currently 27, turning 28 in September.

The Newcastle owner does not want to pay a fee for Lemina, with the Magpies instead offering a swap deal. But the Saints are not interested in any of the players reportedly put forward by Newcastle.

So within 24 hours, the same reporter for the same outlet has completely changed the story.

Why would Newcastle be willing to pay £5million if Southampton only want £4million?

And more interestingly, why would the deal suddenly be off because of Lemina’s age? It’s not as if he’s dramatically turned 27-years-old in the last 24 hours. Lemina’s age isn’t a mystery – surely the club have known all along how old he is?

This doesn’t add up at all, and likely won’t be the end of Lemina’s speculated move to St James’ Park.