Report: Hammers linked with Southampton record signing
The 24-year-old Gabonese international was targeted by Everton, Arsenal, West Ham, Valencia and Southampton last summer while still at Juventus. Southampton was the only club prepared to pay £16 million asking price rising to £20m with add-ons. The Saints announcing him on a five-year contract last August, a club record at the time.
Lemina went on to play in 25 games for the Saints although just 20 of these came as starts which has left the player reportedly frustrated.
Sky Sports have claimed Lemina would be a replacement for Pedro Obiang who has been linked by Sky to £8.9m move back to Sampdoria. Club insiders last week said Obiang is not for sale as he features in Pellegrini’s plans and they certainly wouldn’t let him go out on loan or on the cheap calling most bids from Italy ridiculously low.
Yesterday when Pellegrini was asked about Obiang he replied “I don’t talk about anything. If for some reason, Pedro must go then there will be a replacement.”
