EVERTON have made an initial enquiry to Saints about Mario Lemina.

The want-away midfielder is keen to depart the south coast before the transfer window ends on 8 August [5pm].

And with Everton selling Idrissa Gueye to French giants Paris Saint Germain for £28m, they are on the hunt for potential replacements.

This, as understood by the Daily Echo, has led to them getting in contact with Saints over a potential deal for ex-Juventus player Lemina.

The Gabon international earlier this month made it clear that he no longer wants to stay on the south coast, telling France Football: “I’m not afraid, I made a choice and I take it to the end. 

“I stand by my plan, I decided to tell the leaders that I wanted to leave, there is no turning back. 

“There is a risk, of course, but I know what I’m capable of, I’m 100 per cent and I’m going to prove that I can get back to my best. 

“Some clubs may be more cautious, but they already know me. I am ready to move on.”

The 25-year-old was earlier in the transfer window subject to enquiries from Premier League trio Manchester United, Arsenal and Leicester.

However, all three clubs fell below Saints’ asking price for the player.

But with the transfer window entering it’s final few days, clubs will try and wrap up their deals as quickly as possible, which could work in the St Mary’s side’s favour.

Premier League rivals will start to get increasingly desperate which could see they pay over the odds for someone they could have signed cheaper had they started their business earlier.

In terms of Lemina, Saints paid £15m for the midfielder back in 2017 and will be looking to make a profit on that fee given the inflation circulating the transfer market.

Things have gone from bad to worse for the former Juventus man as he has been struck off the first team schedule by manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. Lemina has taken to Twitter to showcase his footballing ability by putting a montage of his best bits accompanied with ‘#TonicLikeLeminade’.

His spot in the first team’s changing room at Staplewood has also been taken away from him in order to accommodate the new players.

Hasenhuttl is keen to still add to his squad before the window ends but, as reported in the Daily Echo, the boss will have to sell players before recruiting potential new additions.