According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle United are close to agreeing a fee for Southampton’s Mario Lemina.
The midfielder has been linked with the Magpies for a while now, but a £4million deal was reportedly put on hold last month.
The Daily Mail claimed that was because Mike Ashley didn’t want to pay a fee for a player as old as 27. At the time, this report didn’t make much sense.
Whether it was true or not, a move for Lemina could now be on the cards once more.
On Wednesday night, the same reporter who claimed the deal was off stated that Newcastle were interested once again, and could offer Lemina a three-year deal.
Now the Northern Echo have added a bit more meat to the bone.
Report claims Newcastle are close to agreeing Mario Lemina fee
They state that Newcastle want to pay £4million for Lemina, while the Saints want closer to £8million.
However, they add that a compromise is close, and it is nearer to Newcastle’s valuation than Southampton’s.
Isaac Hayden reportedly won’t be involved in any deal, which is certainly good news.
Newcastle need reinforcements, and letting a player like Hayden leave as part of a new signing would be counterproductive.
The Magpies are yet to sign any first-team players so far this summer, but the Northern Echo believe a deal for Lemina could be done in the next few days.
Combine that with claims that a Joe Willock return could be on the cards, and the Newcastle midfield will certainly be looking a lot stronger.
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