---
title: "Saints reject Atalanta loan approach for Lemina"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2019/07/02/saints-reject-atalanta-loan-approach-for-lemina/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Oliver Birch"
section: "News"
published: "2019-07-02T12:01:13Z"
modified: "2019-07-02T12:01:13Z"
---

# Saints reject Atalanta loan approach for Lemina

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](https://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-reject-offer-midfielder-want-permanent-sale/), the Serie A side have seen a loan approach with an option to buy rejected by Saints.

![Marc Atkins/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.cohttps//media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2019/07/1139009103.jpg)

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.