Arsenal fans react to report about club rekindling 2017 interest in Mario Lemina

Arsene Wenger reportedly blocked a move for Lemina back in 2017.

Published on July 9, 2019

Arsenal are among three Premier League clubs chasing Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina, according to the Evening Standard.

They report that the Gunners, along with Manchester United and Leicester City, have asked about the midfielder, who was left out of Southampton’s squad for the pre-season trip to Austria.

The report also says that Southampton want £18 million, which is the price they apparently paid to land Lemina back in 2017, the summer after he represented Juventus in the 2017 Champions League final.

The Evening Standard also reported in August 2017 that Arsenal were looking at signing Lemina, but Arsene Wenger vetoed the deal, rejecting recommendations from within the club.

(Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)

The Evening Standard also quote Lemina from last week, saying: “I do not rule out the possibility of seeing something else. I want to start afresh. So why not leave?

“We have very good discussions with the club. We are in agreement. If I don’t feel good in this project, I can leave. They are giving me the opportunity to be able to go elsewhere.”

And plenty of Arsenal fans took to Twitter excitedly, wanting their club to make a deal happen this summer, giving their midfield some more experience and physicality.

great talent. Wanted him when he was at Juve

— ?amit ?harma (@Guggusharma) July 9, 2019

This I like. I’d take him in an heartbeat. Straight swap him with Chambers

— ÖrƎ (@Iron_OreA1) July 8, 2019

Decent

— Lukman Ali (@AliLukmaali123) July 8, 2019

Decent buy if we can get him for 10-15 mil @Arsenal

— Lewis Potton (@LPotton) July 9, 2019

Rather have him than Bakayoko ??‍♂️. This window has been a shambles, embarrassing!

— Jonny K (@JonnyK08) July 9, 2019

Lemina needs to join the Arsenal

— 8 (@The6role) July 9, 2019

That was predominantly down to a 4 month absence through injury. If you actually take time to watch some highlights he is a quality player, 18 months ago Garth Crooks was saying that Lemina was playing fro the wrong club and was "an Arsenal player if ever I saw one".

— Chris (@CMcGuinness_VP) July 9, 2019