Juventus’ Mario Lemina could be on the move this summer after falling down the pecking order at the Turin side. In the wake of the Douglas Costa signing, his place in the team is becoming increasingly untenable, being already behind the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio.
The 23-year-old has alerted an array of clubs including the Premier League duo of Everton and West Ham United. The likes of Galatasaray, Sevilla and Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in securing the services of the player.
Valued at around £20m, Juventus wouldn’t have qualms about cashing in on the player with the Old Lady boasting plenty of quality midfielders in the middle of the pitch. Lemina managed to start only 8 games under Allegri last season and could be vying for a move away in search of regular first team football.
The 23-year-old Gabonese international was deployed mostly as a central midfielder in Juventus’ last campaign and is equally fluent on the right flank as a wide player. He has a good cross and is composed on the ball boasting solid defensive attributes and could add value to a Premier League club like West Ham United in more ways than one. As a testament to the player’s versatility, prior to his move to Juventus in 2015, he also featured as a right back for French outfit Marseille.
The Hammers’ failure to offer Champions League football would have to be compensated with a hefty wage packet and a promise of regular first team opportunities. which shouldn’t be a problem considering West Ham are yet to open their purse strings in the current window, not for the lack of trying though, and the addition of Lemina would considerably improve their midfield.
The 23-year-old boasts a 90% passing accuracy and likes to cover every blade of grass owing to his phenomenal stamina and could prove to be perfectly suited for the Premier League. In a physical league like this one, Lemina’s 1.3 tackles per game on average should sound like music to Slaven Bilic’s ears as the player can add much needed defensive solidity in the London side.
According to Tancredi Palmeri, the player has also attracted interest from Arsenal and Watford, with Arsenal already inquiring after the 23-year-old over a possible move. Currently, on their pre season tour in Australia, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the club moves in for Lemina.
Bilic has to move fast if he wants to ward off interest from a whole host of clubs chasing the signature of the midfielder.
