Southampton have reportedly rejected a loan bid from Atalanta for Mario Lemina as they are instead looking to offload the midfielder permanently this summer.
The Gabon international signed for Saints in a €18million move from Juventus in 2017, in what was a club record transfer at the time, and has since made 52 appearances in all competitions.
Atalanta are now looking to sign the midfielder and according to Sport Witness via Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web, the Serie A side have seen a loan approach with an option to buy rejected by Saints.
The report suggests the Premier League side are looking to offload Lemina permanently this summer, and would like to recoup the majority of the €18million they paid Juve in 2017.
Atalanta are reportedly expected to make a second bid for the 25-year-old in the coming days, though it is unknown whether the Serie A side will make a bid to sign Lemina permanently.
