Newcastle United are set to miss out on Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina to Nice despite appearing close to signing him at one stage, according to The Northern Echo.
What’s the story?
The Northern Echo reported earlier yesterday that Newcastle were ‘increasingly confident’ of signing Lemina from Premier League rivals Southampton in the summer transfer window.
The Magpies had held talks with Southampton officials and were ‘close to agreeing a deal’.
However, the same publication has subsequently reported that the Gabon international midfielder is on his way to Nice in France.
The Ligue 1 outfit made a late move for the 27-year-old, who has decided to move to Nice.
Blow for Newcastle United
Missing out on Lemina will be a blow for Newcastle, especially as they were reportedly so close to signing him.
The 27-year-old has not had the best of times at Southampton since joining from Juventus for £15.4 million in the summer of 2017, as reported by BBC Sport at the time.
Then Southampton vice-chairman Les Reed described the midfielder as an “outstanding” talent, as quoted on BBC Sport.
The midfielder has failed to establish himself in the Saints’ first team, but he had good loan spells at Galatasaray and Fulham.
Moreover, remember, Lemina is a former Juventus player and won Serie A and the Coppa Italia twice each other them.
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