Blow for Newcastle as midfield target Mario Lemina is set to join Nice after the French side come to terms with Southampton on a £4.7m move for the Gabon international

• Mario Lemina is set to complete a £4.7m deal to join Ligue 1 side Nice 
• The 27-year-old Southampton player has been on loan the past two seasons 
• He spent last season at Fulham who were relegated to the Championship
• Newcastle were interested in Lemina but might have to pursue other targets 

Mario Lemina has dashed Newcastle's hopes and is joining Nice in a £4.7million deal.

The Southampton midfielder flew to Nice to finalise his transfer on Thursday night after the French club agreed a fee including add-ons.

Newcastle had been hopeful of securing the Gabon international after reviving talks but Nice have convinced him of their project under Christophe Galtier and he is due to sign a three year deal.

Newcastle could now turn attention to Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles who is also wanted by Southampton and Burnley among others. 

They remain keen to sign his club mate Joe Willock also and want a centre-back.

Lemina originally joined Southampton for a club record £15.4m fee in August 2017.

He scored twice in 52 appearances in his first two seasons at the club but then spent the next pair of seasons out on loan at Galatasaray and then Fulham. 

Lemina was one of Fulham's most impressive players last season despite their relegation back to the Championship.

Nice finished mid-table in Ligue 1 last season in ninth place on 52 points, six points outside of the European places.