Mario Lemina open to Southampton exit after two seasons

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Southampton’s Mario Lemina has suggested he could leave the club this summer.

The midfielder is open to calling time on his stint on the south coast after signing for the club in 2017 from Juventus.

The star has experienced an injury-plagued couple of years at St. Mary’s Stadium, making 52 appearances so far.

Speaking about his future, Lemina said (quoted by The Sun): “Today, I am at Southampton, I still have another three years on my contract.

“But it is true that I do not rule out the possibility of seeing something else.

“The last four months have not been easy for me, with my injury.

“The coach put his team together. I want to start afresh. So why not leave?

“If I feel I do not like this project, I can leave. They are giving me the opportunity to be able to go elsewhere.”

TBR’s view

With Ralph Hasenhuttl preferring the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Hoijbjerg when Lemina had recovered last season, the star’s long-term prospects at the club don’t look great.

It sounds very much as though the 25-year-old wants out, but Southampton need to ensure they recoup what they paid for him (£18.1 million, BBC Sport) as best they can.

The £65,000-a-week player (Spotrac) still has three years left on his current deal so the club are theoretically in a strong position to get good money for him.

Southampton would be OK without him provided they reinvest in a decent replacement. Lemina is a talented player on his day but is not always consistent and has been accused of failing to contribute in difficult matches.