Newcastle United face competition for Marseille midfielder Mario Lemina from both West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion. La Provence claim that all three Premier League sides have registered an interest in the midfielder this summer, and that "the hypothesis Lemina could leave this summer is not to be discarded". Lemina put all the speculation over his future to one side to net Marseille's opening goal in the French side's 5-2 friendly victory over Turkish club Antalyaspor on Saturday. Yet earlier this month, L'Equipe claimed that the Magpies had seen a £4 million bid for Lemina rejected, but it seems Steve McClaren still holds an interest in the midfielder. The 21-year-old defensive-midfielder was born in Gabon but has represented France at various youth levels - and Ligue 1 followers will know that he is extremely highly rated. Signed by Marseille from Lorient in 2013, the six-foot-tall Lemina has made 37 Ligue 1 appearances for the club since - scoring twice. Should Cheick Tiote leave this summer, as some media reports have suggested, then Lemina could be seen as a possible replacement as he is tall, powerful and still has time to develop. Whats more, due to his age, he would certainly have sell-on value as well. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
