Exeter, Bristol Rovers & Lincoln in race for Southampton’s Lewis Payne – sources
Southampton defender Lewis Payne is a target for League One trio Exeter City, Bristol Rovers and Lincoln City this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The 20-year-old is highly regarded by the Premier League club after coming through the ranks at St Mary’s.
The talented right-back impressed during a loan spell with League Two side Newport County last season, where he made 41 appearances in all competitions.
Exeter, Bristol Rovers and Lincoln are all looking to strengthen their full-back options for next season and are exploring loan moves for Payne this summer.
The defender is under contract with Southampton until June 2025, but he is expected to secure a temporary switch away from the Hampshire club over the coming weeks.
Lincoln in race to sign Lewis Payne on loan after Newport success
Payne has seen his opportunities limited at St Mary’s since he was handed his first professional contract in 2022.
The right-back has made just one senior appearance for Southampton, where he registered an assist in the 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Cambridge United in August 2022.
After spending a brief stint on loan at National League side Eastleigh in early 2023, Payne joined Newport last summer.
It proved to be a fruitful loan move for the youngster, having made 26 starts in his 41 appearances for the Welsh side, scoring two goals and laying on five assists in the process.
Payne is now expected to head out on loan again this summer after Southampton secured an instant return to the Premier League last season.
Exeter, Bristol Rovers and Lincoln are all in the race to sign the defender as they look to strengthen their squads ahead of next season.
Lincoln narrowly missed out on a League One play-off place last season, while Exeter and Bristol Rovers both finished comfortably in the mid-table positions.
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