Ralph Hasenhuttl has not ruled out the prospect of Newcastle United transfer target Mario Lemina returning to the fold at Southampton next season.
As ChronicleLive reported on Thursday, the Magpies head of recruitment Steve Nickson has monitored the Gabon international ahead of a potential summer move.
Lemina spent last season on loan with Fulham, and the 27-year-old is considered by many to be surplus to requirements at St Mary's Stadium.
The midfielder joined Southampton in a club-record deal in 2017, but has only made 52 appearances for the Saints in the following four seasons.
Southampton had reportedly agreed to make Lemina's loan switch to Craven Cottage permanent this summer, only for Fulham's relegation to the Championship to trigger a break clause in the deal.
Steve Bruce is in the market for a new midfielder this summer, and a potential bargain deal for the former Juventus star is being considered.
However, Hasenhuttl's comments in May when asked about Lemina's future indicate last season's loanee could yet still have a future on the south coast.
The Saints boss praised the midfielder for 'some very good games' despite Fulham's relegation, and also noted his versatility in playing in defence.
Hasenhuttl previously told Hampshire Live : "We are following all of our loan players and we have reports on them
"With some, we are consistently in contact and we have our staff members doing this all the time.
"It is always helpful if somebody goes somewhere and performs quite well. I think his season so far, although he has played for a relegated team, was not the worst, definitely.
“He had some very good games and I saw the goal he scored against Liverpool. It was definitely for him a good step back in the Premier League.
"In the last game he played centre-back and this was interesting to see.”
He added: “We are following and then we will find a decision this summer."
