Galatasaray want to sign Mario Lemina on a permanent deal at the end of the season but are reportedly prepared to keep him in Turkey on another loan deal if an agreement can be reached with Southampton.
According to claims from Sabah, the Super Lig giants have been impressed with the Gabon international, who has been a mainstay under manager Fatih Terim this term.
Galatasaray have the option to make Lemina’s stay at the club permanent should they wish to for €16 million in the summer.
However, they are claimed to be holding on before making a concrete approach. If Southampton are relegated from the Premier League, there is hope that a cheaper price can be negotiated.
Galatasaray are evidently reluctant to spend a large sum on signing Lemina. Still, if they are unable to reach an agreement, Sabah reports that they are content with keeping the former Juventus star at the club on a temporary basis again for the 2020/21 campaign.
Read Southampton’s verdict
It’s good news that Galatasaray want to take Lemina off Southampton’s hands, be it on a permanent or temporary deal.
The midfielder doesn’t appear to have much of a future at St Mary’s, so cutting any losses on him at the nearest possible opportunity is probably the best course of action.
If Lemina can impress Galatasaray to the extent that they pay the quoted figure of €16 million for him, it would be a boost for Southampton, given the ‘sell to buy’ strategy in the transfer market.
Alternatively, should another loan deal come to fruition, at least Lemina’s wages would be off the books for another year.
