Everton have reportedly contacted Southampton to sound out a potential deal for Mario Lemina before the end of the transfer window.
According to Dominic King, of the Daily Mail, Everton have spoken to Southampton as they look to bring Lemina to Goodison Park this summer.
Twitter: Everton are keen to sign Mario Lemina and have made contact with Southampton but a deal is not close.
Things are m… https://t.co/BNqttyB0aU (@DominicKing_DM)
The transfer window ends a week on Thursday at 5pm, with Everton seemingly looking to wrap up several deals.
Everton have already made two signings in central midfield ahead of next season, with Andre Gomes and Fabian Delph both signing permanent contracts with the club.
So, would Lemina start for Everton if he joined the club?
No, is the simple answer. With the touted arrival of Jean-Philippe Gbamin to fill the Idrissa Gueye role, there is no place for him at the base of the midfield. Andre Gomes and Gylfi Sigurdsson also have the two central midfield spots nailed down, which would leave Lemina and Delph on the bench as it stands.
For Everton, it would be superb to have the quality of Delph and Lemina to call upon from the bench, but the players themselves may grow tired of it if it becomes a regularity throughout the campaign – especially with no Europa League football to get minutes in.
Regardless of whether he would start or not, Lemina would be a good addition to Everton’s squad. He’s quick with the ball at his feet and able to get out of tough situations and be able to find a pass. He struggled with injuries at times last season, but Marco Silva could get the best out of the Gabon international.
