LEMINA GIVES SAINTS A LIFT

SOUTHAMPTON have bolstered their midfield with a £20million club-record deal for Mario Lemina.

Juventus’ Gabon ace (left), 23, signed a five-year deal to become new boss Mauricio Pellegrino’s second summer signing.

Southampton beat rivals including Premier League Stoke to Lemina’s signature. His capture is a coup for Southampton after he won the Italian league and cup double twice in his two years at Juve, and also featured in last season’s Champions League final.

Saints chief Les Reed hailed the deal in a summer of big spending.

He said: “In a volatile market with some extraordinary and inexplicable transfers taking place, we are determined to go about our work in a diligent and correct way.

“This is a player who has won trophies and played in the Champions League final less than three months ago. He has signed for Saints amid a host of suitors.”

Lemina said: “I am really happy to have signed for Southampton.

“It was the project that attracted me the most and the one my family was really behind.”