According to Sky Sports News, Everton are ‘exploring (a) move’ for Mario Lemina as a potential replacement for Idrissa Gueye. The 25-year-old is also the subject of interest from Arsenal, Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United and AS Saint-Etienne, and has been given permission by Southampton to speak to suitors.
The £65k-per-week midfielder has made 52 appearances in all competitions since joining the club from August 2017, scoring and creating four goals. Last season, Lemina made 21 Premier League appearances and contributed two goals.
The Gabon international made 13 chances, won 29 aerial duels, boasted 23 successful dribbles (66%), averaged 39 passes-per-game with 86% accuracy, blocked 27 shots/passes/crosses, made 30 clearances and averaged a tackle (49) or interception (43) every 18 minutes.
Everton signed Fabian Delph to offset the loss of Gueye, but the Toffees are still looking to add depth in a key area. With James McCarthy and Muhamed Besic being linked with Crystal Palace and Fulham – coupled with Morgan Schneiderlin being tipped for a loan exit – Marco Silva won’t want to leave his squad short of options in the engine room.