Report claims Newcastle will have to pay £8m to sign 27-yr-old target this summer – originally posted on Sportslens.com
Newcastle United have been linked with a move for the Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina this summer.
Earlier we recovered reports that the Magpies are looking to sign the 27-year old for a fee of around £4 million this week.
Now Athletic are reporting that the player will cost £8 million and it remains to be seen whether Newcastle are willing to pay that kind of money for the player.
Lemina was on loan at Fulham last season and it is evident that he is not a key player for Southampton. The Saints are looking to cash in on him this summer.
Furthermore, the player has less than a year left on his current deal and the Saints will not want to lose him for free next year.
The midfielder is well settled in the Premier League and the £8 million asking price seems quite reasonable for a player of his calibre, despite his contract situation.
Newcastle could certainly use a quality box to box midfielder like him who will help out defensively and contribute in the final third as well.
Steve Bruce had to rely on the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Jeff Hendrick last season and both players were quite underwhelming for the magpies.
Lemina would certainly be an upgrade on both players and he could form a quality partnership alongside Isaac Hayden next year.
Previously it has been reported that Mike Ashley is reluctant to pay up for the 27-year-old and the £8 million asking price could prove to be a problem for the Newcastle owner.
Apparently, Ashley was hoping to sign the player by offering some of their fringe players in exchange.
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Author:Sai