Celtic loanee Moi Elyounoussi will be handed a second chance at Southampton while Mario Lemina and Wesley Hoedt are expected to be sold in the summer transfer window, as reported by The Athletic.
It has certainly been a mixed season for Southampton’s loan legion.
Lemina, the former Juventus ace who became Saints’ £18 million record signing not so long ago, scored a famous winner during Fulham’s 1-0 triumph at Anfield in March.
That will mean nothing, however, if Scott Parker’s brave-yet-flawed side fail to claw their way out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Elyounoussi, meanwhile, has produced 15 goals and six assists north of the border at Celtic.
Understandably, his personal exploits have been overshadowed during a dismal season for the dethroned Scottish champions.
According to The Athletic, however, Elyounoussi has done enough to convince the Saints he deserves a clean slate.
The former Basel winger, a £16 million signing in summer 2018, will be given the chance to impress head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl in pre-season.
Elyounoussi’s skill, versatility, goalscoring ability and left-footedness certainly stand him in good stead, even if his most recent Premier League appearance came almost two years ago.
The Athletic adds the same opportunity won’t be handed to Lemina, however. He, like Lazio loanee Wesley Hoedt, will become a free agent in 2022 and looks certain to have played his final game in red and white.
Finding buyers for Lemina and Hoedt would raise funds for new signings, with Southampton keen to bring in a right-back, left-back and a promising centre-forward.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
