Wolves could make £9m bid to sign a ‘great player’ Southampton sold

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Wolves could offer a fee of around £9 million for Mario Lemina as they look to bring the former Fulham and Southampton midfielder back to the Premier League this month, according to French publication Foot Mercato. 

After seeing potential moves to Newcastle United and Watford fall through in recent windows, the 29-year-old Gabon international is now relying upon Wolverhampton Wanderers getting their backsides in gear if he hopes to take in a third spell in English football.

The one-time Juventus ace struggled at Southampton. But he did make a far greater impression during a loan spell at Fulham in 2020/21; scoring a famous winner away at Liverpool, albeit on route to relegation. 

And Wolves have reportedly turned to Lemina after losing the crocked Boubacar Traore for up to two months with injury. 

Wolves, per The Mail, have already seen two bids rejected by Ligue 1 underachievers Nice; the most recent standing at £5 million. A new and improved offer of £9 million is reportedly in the pipeline now, though the sudden departure of Nice coach Lucien Favre potentially complicates matters. 

Lemina’s future at the Allianz Rivera could potentially depend on the identity of Favre’s successor. 

Wolves want Mario Lemina back in England after spells at Fulham and Southampton

“He’s very good,” former Saints team-mate Oriol Romeu once said of Lemina, who played against Real Madrid in the 2017 Champions League final before moving to the South Coast.

“A great signing. He’s a very strong player and helps the team a lot. He’s defensively strong and also can drive forward and create chances.

“It’s very good to have him. Mario was playing in Italy but I hadn’t seen him play before now. He’s a great player.”

Wolves have already completed the loan signing of Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid. Head coach Julen Lopetegui expressed his admiration for World Cup winner Marcos Acuna and veteran centre-back Felipe too. Though both deals appear to have hit the buffers of late. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, meanwhile, may have played his way back into Erik ten Hag’s plans at Manchester United.