Arsenal's search for an Aaron Ramsey replacement has brought about somewhat of a shock transfer rumour.
football.london understands there is interest from Arsenal in Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina, although they are set to face strong competition from Manchester United and Leicester City who are also interested in the 25-year-old.
The South-Coast are said to want to recoup the £15m they paid Juventus when they signed Lemina in 2017.
Having been left out of the Saints' pre-season tour, Lemina did admit he wants a fresh challenge.
"The last 4 months have not been easy for me, with my injury," he said . "The coach put his team together. I want to start afresh. So why not leave?
"We have very good discussions with the club. We are in agreement."
This isn't the first time Arsenal have been linked with a move for Lemina. In fact before he made the move to St Mary's there was talk of him joining Arsene Wenger's side and he was flattered by such rumours.
"Arsenal? ‘Of course those links flatter me, but personally I’ve never doubted my qualities," he said back in 2017, as per the Metro .
"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."
If the Gunners are able to win the race for Lemina's signature, what squad number could he take?
Football.london takes a look.
First of all, it would appear that Lemina favours the no.18 having worn it at Southampton as well as Juventus.
That shirt number is not available at the Emirates as it's currently occupied by Nacho Monreal, although Lemina did wear no.8 at Marseille as well as Lorient and that's currently vacant at Arsenal following Ramsey's departure.
Other vacant shirt numbers include No.3, No.12, No.13, No.19, No.22, No.23, No.32 and No.33.
