Report suggests Southampton and Besiktas are close to loan agreement for Mario Lemina

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Besiktas are trying to finalise a deal for Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina. That is according to numerous reports in Turkey regarding the club’s interest in the player. 

Fanatik is reporting that manager Abdullah Avci is keen on signing the Gabon international after deals for Maxime Gonalons and Rafinha failed to materialise. 

The report claims a loan bid has been submitted and been accepted by Southampton for the player. The club’s director of football Ali Naibi is now being tasked with convincing the former Juventus man that a move to Istanbul is a positive step in his career. 

Southampton’s talented midfielder has been on the look-out for a new club throughout the summer. The 25-year-old informed Southampton of his intention to leave at the end of last season. 

As reported by Sky Sports earlier this week, Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed that Lemina was likely to leave the club before the end of the European transfer window. 

TBR’s View

There is no doubt that Lemina’s exit is in the best interest of Southampton. However, fans and the club will have surely been hoping to make some serious money on the player. 

It was reported by the London Evening Standard earlier in the summer that Southampton wanted £18 million for the player, when the likes of Manchester United were being linked with his services.

If he ends up heading to Besiktas on loan, Southampton will surely be taking something of a hit financially on the midfield general. 

Here’s hoping that the Saints can find a suitable solution for all parties before the transfer window shuts across Europe.