Report: Newcastle “confident” in transfer of Southampton’s Mario Lemina

Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina could be on his way out of St Mary’s on a permanent deal this summer.

According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle United are “increasingly confident” in securing the services of the Gabon international.

The report says the Magpies are looking to reinforce their midfield ahead of the new Premier League season and Lemina has been earmarked as a cheap option.

Though Lemina signed with Southampton for a then club-record fee of £15.4million in 2017 from Italian giants Juventus, it’s thought that the Saints are will to sell him for £8million.

Newcastle are reportedly pushing for a fee of around half that - £4million - but a compromise between those two figures is said to be close.

Lemina has only really played two seasons of football with Southampton since signing four years ago.

The 27-year-old has made 52 appearances and scored two goals during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns, before spending entire seasons on loan at Galatasaray and Fulham up until now.

Lemina made 28 appearances for Fulham last season, but the West London side were relegated from the Premier League which ultimately ended any chances of a permanent transfer to the Cottagers.

The former Juventus man is currently training with the Southampton first team ahead of the new season.