Manchester United and Arsenal to compete for Southampton midfielder

Manchester United and Arsenal could reportedly go head-to-head to secure the services of Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina this summer.

The 25-year-old joined the Saints from Juventus two years ago but he has not been able to command a regular role from the starting lineup.

According to The Mirror, the Saints could sanction the sale of the Gabon international this summer, should they receive a package of around £20m for his signature.

The same publication claims that Lemina is attracting high-profile interest from Manchester United and Arsenal - both of whom are aiming to pursue a new holding midfielder.

United are currently assessing the future of Nemanja Matic, who has drawn criticism for the reduced mobility on the playing field. Arsenal, on the other hand, have been long-term admirers of the Gabonese from his Turin days.

Lemina made 18 starts for Southampton during the 2018/19 Premier League campaign. Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg were regularly preferred ahead of him at the heart of the midfield.