Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina has emerged as a potential transfer target for Liverpool this summer, claims L’Equipe.
Jurgen Klopp will have to readdress his midfield options in the summer with Emre Can destined to leave and concerns growing over Jordan Henderson’s inability to stay injury-free.
Now that James Milner is also 32 and the fact Liverpool opted against replacing Philippe Coutinho in January, at least one new central midfielder is expected at Anfield this summer.
RB Leipzig star Naby Keita will join Liverpool at the end of the season but Klopp is now contemplating another raid of Southampton in search of someone that can play alongside the Bundesliga star.
Liverpool signed Virgil Van Dijk from the south coast club in January to take their expenditure on Southampton players alone in the Premier League era in excess of £170m.
Southampton made Lemina a club-record signing when they shelled out £18m to sign the midfielder from Juventus in August and the 24-year-old has impressed in spurts for the Saints.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s side are currently battling relegation, which has made it difficult for Lemina to play consistently well.
However, Tottenham and Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the Gabon international and there would be more clubs interested if Southampton are relegated.
Of Premier League players that have attempted at least 50 dribbles this season, only Mousa Dembele (90.2%) has a better success rate than Lemina (90%).
