According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United’s bid to sign Mario Lemina from Southampton has hit problems.
And they claim it is because of the player’s age. Lemina is 27-years-old, and will turn 28 in September.
That’s apparently a problem for Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who doesn’t want to pay a fee for someone over the age of 27. That’s despite the fact he sanctioned a £20million deal for Callum Wilson last summer, who was 28 at the time.
The Daily Mail state that Southampton want £4million for Lemina, despite the fact they claimed Newcastle wanted to £5million just a day before.
Something doesn’t add up here. But that hasn’t stopped fans reacting to the claim that Ashley won’t pay for Lemina.
If the report is true, and it’s a big if, then how on earth are we going to sign anyone this summer? Are we simply going to rely on loans and free agents? And even they aren’t ‘free’ nowadays…
£4million for a player of Lemina’s calibre is an absolute bargain. £5million would’ve been a bargain. Even the £7million fee that was touted earlier in the year would have been considered cheap.
But if the Daily Mail are correct, then Lemina’s move to St James’ Park is off for now.
We won’t spend a small fee for a 27-year-old Mario Lemina, while we might not have enough money to sign the 21-year-old Joe Willock.
Good job we’ve still got Jeff Hendrick…
Newcastle fans can’t believe report about Mike Ashley and Mario Lemina
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