Arsenal are still interested in signing former summer target, Mario Lemina, who ended up moving to Southampton for €17m last year, but Liverpool are now also reportedly chasing the midfielder.
1The rumour
L’Equipe write that Lemina is now “in the Liverpool viewfinder”, presumably just the same as every other Southampton player.
They go on to add that Arsenal followed the player last summer, and haven’t “dropped the case”.
Lemina could be the kind of player Arsene Wenger’s side needs.
He’s a defensive midfielder who excels at tackling and winning aerial duels. He’s also strong in possession, with 88% pass accuracy for the season (89.8% last season), and he isn’t easy to knock off the ball.
The club don’t have anyone like that in the squad currently.
Arsenal could have an edge over Liverpool as well. Mauricio Pellegrino probably isn’t too happy with the way Jurgen Klopp’s side unsettled and bought yet another of his club’s star players recently.
Southampton are also struggling to escape the threat of relegation at the moment. Another poor run of form between now and the end of the season could yet see them go down.
If that happens, you’d imagine they would allow Lemina to leave the club without much resistance.
He is currently under contract until 2022 and although valued presently at £13.6m would likely cost considerably more.
“I am flattered by the interest of Arsenal and Watford,” Lemina said before his move to Southampton. “I am playing for a big club now but I am happy about the interest of other clubs.”
Next, who is Mario Lemina and why do Arsenal need him?