Mario Lemina looks set to leave Southampton this summer, but he may have been priced out of a move to Arsenal, according to football.london.
They claim the original asking price for the Gabon international was £15million, but that figure has now risen to £30million.
The article also suggests that Arsenal would have been interested in completing a deal, but may find it very difficult to pay what Southampton are demanding now, and will probably have to walk away.
Earlier in the summer, the midfielder revealed he had spoken to the club and explained he had been given permission to seek a move away from St Mary’s.
Talking to France Football he said: “Since last year, I made it clear: I want to leave and go elsewhere this summer.
“I am not scared, I made a decision and I take full responsibility for it. I decided to tell the club representatives that I wanted to leave. There is no turning back.
“There is a risk, of course, but I know that I am capable, I am at 100% and I want to prove that I can come back very quickly to my best level.”
The 25-year-old was left out of the pre-season training trip to Austria. He remained in Southampton with four other players that the club wanted to sell, as reported by The Daily Echo.
He was linked with Atalanta, but they wanted an initial loan with an option to buy, while The Saints want a permanent transfer. Manchester United, who were also linked, have since distanced themselves from any deal. Leicester were reported as having an interest, but have now signed Youri Tielemans.
Lemina has been forced from first-team activities and is training with the youth squad. At this point, it is difficult to see where he goes from here.
