Newcastle United will face competition from Southampton if they want to secure Mario Lemina's signature this summer. Clubcall.com report that the Saints want Lemina as a potential replacement for Manchester United-linked Morgan Schneiderlin - while the Magpies believe the Marseille midfielder could be brought in as Cheick Tiote's successor. LEquipe claimed last week that the Magpies had tabled a joint bid for both Florian Thauvin and Lemina, somewhere in the region of £15 million, and that the £4 million offer for the latter was rejected. Lemina, a 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 Tiote leave this summer, then Lemina is seen as a possible replacement as he is tall, powerful and still have time to develop. Whats more, due to his age, he would certainly have sell-on value as well. Marseille have already sold Dmitri Payet to West Ham United for £11 million and Giannelli Imbula to Porto for £22 million this summer - and they need to continue to recoup funds, so Thauvin and Lemina could both still depart. 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.
