Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina says he is flattered by interest from Premier League clubs.
Watford’s Vicarage Road
Mario Lemina has admitted that he is flattered by the interest from Premier League clubs Arsenal and Watford.
The midfielder joined Juventus from Marseille in 2015 and has a contract at the Turin club till 2020.
With Juventus stocked with world class talents, he has found his first team chances somewhat limited, making only eight Serie A starts in 2016/17 season.
The Gabon international is a highly talented player, and there is speculation that he could move away from Italy this summer.
Mario Lemina Juventus
Lemina has admitted that a move to England is flattering, and that he does not have a preference for any particular league.
Watford, who reportedly tried to sign Lemina last summer, should take note of the player’s latest comments.
Although Lemina has three years left on his contract and he is not unhappy either, he could be tempted by the opportunity to get regular first team action.
“I do not know if “moving on” is the right phrase. In any case, it’s time for me to play as much as I can and to be able to express myself on a personal level. At 23 years of age, I need to be playing regularly to show what I can do,” Lemina told FootMercato.
“It will depend what Juve want and we’ll meet to decide that. We will decide together, talk honestly and we will see what we will do next season.
Mario Lemina Juventus
“For now, I still have three years of contract and I am very happy there, despite the fact that I do not have the playing time I wish to have.”
“Of course that flatters me [the links with Watford and Arsenal]. Personally I never doubted my qualities but I’m at a very big club and it does not allow me to express myself as much as I’d like to,” Lemina explained.
“It’s flattering me that clubs are showing an interest.”
Juventus’ Mario Lemina in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
He is at the stage of his career where he wants to be playing regular football, something he is struggling to manage at Juventus.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing him, however, with the Gunners already have the likes of Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny, and Francis Coquelin in their squad, signing another player of similar ilk is all but luxury.
Juventus value him at around £20 million [Evening Standard] but Watford could try at least to lower that fee during negotiation.
He would be a fantastic addition to the squad, and the club should try convince him moving to Vicarage Road with the offer of regular football and a lucrative wage package.
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