Newcastle have resumed their interest in Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina, according to the Daily Mail.
They report that the attempts to sign Lemina had been shelved because Mike Ashley wasn’t comfortable paying a fee.
That’s because Lemina turns 28 in September, but the club owner has apparently done a u-turn.
That means Newcastle are now battling to convince him to stay in England amid interest from Nice in France.
Newcastle have apparently offered a three-year deal to Lemina now and talks are ongoing.
The club scouts were apparently hugely impressed by Lemina during his loan spell with Fulham last season.
That’s led them to recommend the player to Steve Bruce and could end up in a £4 million purchase for Newcastle.
Newcastle are looking to improve their midfield and Jens Cajuste, Joe Willock and Will Hughes are named in the report as potential targets.
The concerns about Lemina’s age never completely added up. There were links with 28-year-old Rafa Silva at the same time.
Lemina looks like a decent option who fits in with Newcastle’s budget this summer.
He’s got decent energy and Premier League experience. The report claims Newcastle initially tried a player swap deal but Southampton just want cash.
The fact that the midfielder has just one year remaining on his contract is the reason for his affordable pricetag.
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