Ralph Hasenhuttl has suggested Mario Lemina may have a future at Southampton despite claims the midfielder could be on his way to West Ham United or Newcastle, speaking to Hampshire Live.
When the former Juventus and Marseille ace was farmed out on loan to Fulham in August 2020, Saints supporters probably thought they had seen the last of a man who had fallen out of favour on the South Coast.
But perhaps not.
Lemina has impressed at Craven Cottage – even if Fulham were relegated from the Premier League on Monday – and scored a famous winner at Liverpool in March.
Last month, The Guardian reported Newcastle and West Ham had held talks with the 27-year-old’s agent.
With just 12 months left on his contract, there was a belief Lemina could be available for as little as £7 million.
But, speaking at his Friday press conference, Hasenhuttl sounded like a man leaning towards giving his forgotten man a fresh start.
“I think his season so far, although he has played for a relegated team, was not the worst, definitely,” the former RB Leipzig boss explains.
“He had some very good games and I saw the goal he scored against Liverpool. It was definitely for him a good step back in the Premier League.
“In the last game he played centre-back – and this was interesting to see. We are following and then we will find a decision this summer.”
Lemina isn’t the only expensively acquired player who faces an uncertain future at St Mary’s.
Wesley Hoedt and Moi Elyounoussi are still Southampton players, technically speaking – and it appears decisions have already been made regarding their place in Hasenhuttl’s plans.
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