Newcastle United are looking at a potential deal to add Borussia Monchengladbach and France striker Marcus Thuram to Eddie Howe’s squad at St. James’ Park in January, football journalist Steve Bates has told GiveMeSport.
The 25-year-old is out of contract with the Bundesliga side this summer and is available for transfer after having helped France reach the World Cup final this winter.
Newcastle United transfer news – Marcus Thuram
Transfer insider Dean Jones told GiveMeSport last month that Newcastle had been offered the chance to sign Thuram, who could be available for around £10m according to Bild in Germany.
Magpies winger Allan Saint-Maximin has been speaking about the prospect of the club signing the forward, telling The Shields Gazette: “He is a great player and I hope we have a chance to take him here.”
The 25-year-old will enter the final six months of his £82k-per-week contract at Monchengladbach in January, meaning that the striker will be able to leave the club for nothing in the summer if the Bundesliga side choose not to cash in on his services.
And Bates believes that Newcastle are just one of the sides interested in making a move for Thuram next month, with Inter Milan and Juventus also possible destinations for the Frenchman.
What has Bates said about Newcastle and Thuram?
Bates told GiveMeSport: “Marcus Thuram from Borussia Monchengladbach has had a good World Cup. He's attracting a lot of interest from the Premier League. Newcastle are looking at him as well as Inter and Juve.”
How did Thuram perform at the World Cup?
Despite being unable to provide a goal in Qatar, Thuram certainly showcased the impact he can have on a frontline when given the opportunity having provided two assists in five substitute appearances at the World Cup, according to Transfermarkt.
The 6 foot 4 striker, who has previously been described as “world-class” by Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schäfer, will have been disappointed to not get his hands on the World Cup title this month, but made a huge impression in the final when subbed on, having helped the side come back from 2-0 down to a 3-3 draw before a gut-wrenching defeat on penalties.
The Parma-born star has been in impressive form at club level this season, having scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 17 appearances, according to Transfermarkt.
Therefore, if Thuram is available for around £10m in January, Howe and PIF both may feel that it would be foolish to not invest a small sum of money in a proven goalscorer at the top level such as the Monchengladbach star.