Arsenal Interested In Mario Lemina
Arsenal have reportedly made a bid for Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina.
Mario Lemina, 22, is a central midfielder who plays for Italian giants Juventus, and the Gabon national team.
Lemina began his career in France with the Lorient youth academy at the age of 11, and was promoted to the first team during the 2012-2013 season. The following season, Marseille acquired Lemina’s services for €4 million.
During the summer of 2015, Lemina began to attract the attention of several clubs, including Premier League clubs Liverpool, Southampton and West Ham United. However, on 31 August – the last day of the transfer window – Juventus announced the signing of Lemina on a season-long loan for €500,000, with an option to buy for €9.5 million at the end of the 2015-2016 season.
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One may wonder why Arsenal need another defensive midfielder after stocking up on that position with El Neney and Xhaka, who were signed within a year of each other. Lemina is equally suited to playing in central midfield, but can feature as a right back too – a position where Arsenal lack personnel.
Arsenal will be heading into the new season with Hector Bellerin and Mathieu Debuchy being the only fit right backs. But Debuchy will reportedly be leaving the club soon so, leaving Bellerin as Arsenal’s only right back.
Under contract until 2020, reports in Italy state that the offer for the 22-year-old was turned down by Juve on Wednesday, as they see him worth a minimum of €20m.
Bundesliga club Schalke are also believed to be monitoring the Gabon international.
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