Lemina was left out of Southampton’s squad for their pre-season camp

Manchester United have been given permission to speak to Mario Lemina, who wants to leave Southampton.

Arsenal have also made an inquiry about the Gabon midfielder, 25, who joined Southampton in August 2017, just three months after playing for Juventus in their defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Southampton left Lemina out of their squad for a pre-season training camp in Austria, the expectation being he will soon be sold for at least the £18.5million they paid the Italian champions.

“I want to start afresh so why not leave?” Lemina, who has three years left on his contract and was on Manchester City’s radar last summer, said at the weekend.

“We have very good discussions with the club. We are in agreement.