Lemina: “Arsenal? Of course those links flatter me”

Matt Stead

Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina has admitted that links to Arsenal “flatter” him amid uncertainty over his future.

Lemina joined Juventus in a €9.5 million transfer from Marseille in 2015, but has started just 15 games in two seasons with the Italian giants.

The 23-year-old has reportedly been attracting interest from Lyon, but the player ruled out a return to Ligue 1 with OL due to his past with Marseille.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the Gabon international, who feels that a move abroad would be the best bet for his career progression.

“My objective is to move up the ladder – if I have to leave Juve I’d like an experience with a club abroad,” Lemina told RAC1.

“Would I go to Lyon? Quite frankly I don’t think OL would interest me. I’m 100 per cent Marseillais. Given the rivalry between Marseille and Lyon, that wouldn’t be the kind of project which would interest me.

“Going back to Marseille? On a personal level, I don’t think that would be the right move.

“Arsenal? Of course those links flatter me, but personally, I’ve never doubted my qualities. I’m at a very big club now but I haven’t been able to show my qualities at that level, so it’s flattering that big clubs are showing up.”