West Ham are set to miss out on Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina with the Gabon international expected to join Premier League rivals Southampton in the coming days.
The Guardian report that the Saints have agreed an £18 million fee with Juventus for the Gabon international, and the midfielder will become the club’s second signing of the summer having already secured a deal for Polish defender Jan Bednarek.
The Hammers had reportedly put in a bid for the 23-year-old, however will now have to turn their attentions elsewhere with Lemina on the verge of joining Mauricio Pellegrino’s side.
Lemina – who made just 8 starts for Juventus last season – was not included in the Serie A Champion’s squad for their friendly against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
The midfielder joined Juventus permanently only last summer as he made the £7.5 million switch from Marseille having spent the previous season on loan in Turin, but now finds himself surplus to requirements for Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
