PSG consider Mario Lemina as De Jong alternative

Paris Saint Germain have all but given up hopes of signing Dutch wonder-kid Frenkie De Jong, with fellow big-hitters Barcelona and Manchester City ahead of them in the pecking order. Therefore, the Ligue 1 pacesetters are readying a surprise £30 million bid for former Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina, currently plying his trade in the Premier League with Southampton. 

Other English top-flight targets include Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure and Everton's Idrissa Gueye. However Lemina is at the top end of the shortlist, with Red Bull Salzburg's Diadie Samassekou also having been mentioned. Southampton's Lemina would fit well into the 'Parisians' budget, which they are looking to narrow to fit FFP regulations. 

Also, the move could benefit the 'Saints' too, as the selling club would double the amount that they paid Juventus for Lemina back in 2017. The imminent departure of holding midfielder Adrien Rabiot is due to force PSG to act quicker, as they bid to not leave coach Thomas Tuchel short of options. So, it is expected that the French giants will move for Lemina in January.