B B C Sports: Al-Shabab move for Wolves midfielder Lemina.
- Author, Nick Mashiter
- Role, BBC Sport football news reporter
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15 January 2025Updated 6 hours ago
Al-Shabab of the Saudi Pro League have requested to recruit Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Mario Lemina on a free transfer. Lemina wishes to leave Molineux, but Al-Shabab’s initial proposal will be rebuffed, with Wolves seeking a sum of around £5 million for the 31-year-old. Lemina, who was replaced as captain by Nelson Semedo last month, missed the FA Cup win against Bristol City, but manager Victor Pereira stated on Tuesday that he was fit and available for the Premier League game against Newcastle. However, after the 3-0 defeat at St James’ Park, Pereira stated that the Gabon player had now informed him that he wanted to go.
“I can’t bring a guy who tells me he’s not in the right mental state to serve the squad. “He wishes to leave,” stated Pereira, who joined Wolves from Al-Shabab in December. “I’m not sure what happened before me, but with this energy and mindset, I don’t need him. I prefer to play alongside another player. “I have nothing against Lemina or any problems with him. “He said to me that he wants to leave and he communicated this decision one month ago to the club.”
Lemina was club captain at the start of the season, but was relieved of the position by previous manager Gary O’Neil after an argument with West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen following the final whistle in their 2-1 loss at London Stadium. At the time, O’Neil stated that Lemina “would remain part of the squad’s leadership group”. Lemina has only played 31 minutes since Pereira took over as O’Neil’s successor on December 19. Wolves are in the relegation zone, 18th on goal differential following their defeat against Newcastle.
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