Southampton are reportedly open to offers for Mario Lemina this summer, with Ralph Hasenhuttl ready to offload a number of players.
With Ralph Hasenhuttl getting stuck into his first summer at St Mary’s, it is little surprise that The Telegraph has suggested that Southampton are open to offers for a number of players this summer, with the likes of Fraser Forster and Wesley Hoedt amongst those included on the list.
The report suggests that Sam Gallagher and Charlie Austin are both expected to leave, while Alex McCarthy and Cedric Soares are also available.
But perhaps the most surprising name on the list is Mario Lemina, with The Telegraph suggesting that the Saints could be open to offers for the 25-year-old midfielder.
Lemina has had a mixed time on the south coast. He joined from Juventus in 2017 for £18.1 million (fee reported by BBC Sport), and there have been moments of sheer brilliance along the way – few Southampton supporters will forget his outrageous strike at West Brom.
His form has dipped at times, and he is the kind of player that often frustrates the fans when he is not at the races. That inconsistency is perhaps why the club is apparently willing to listen to offers.
It is not clear what figure Southampton are looking for, but it would obviously be a mistake to let him go cheaply. There are plenty of fans who believe that he could be a sensational player for the club if things can click with Hasenhuttl, and would clearly be disappointed to see him go.
But keeping all their options open makes a lot of sense. If Hasenhuttl is not convinced that Lemina is the right player for him, then a move away from St Mary’s has to be the best option for all parties.
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