Newcastle United are reportedly still in the mix to sign Marcus Thuram this summer, but Barcelona think they might have an advantage.
That is according to Spanish outlet Sport, who have provided an update on the French forward’s situation. He is set to become a free agent in the summer, with his Borussia Monchengladbach contract expiring.
It looked like he would secure a move away in January, with Newcastle heavily linked with signing him. There were also talks with Chelsea over a move to Stamford Bridge.
However, Thuram remained in Germany, and appears to be primed for a Bosman transfer at the end of the season.
Newcastle and Barcelona in the conversation to sign Marcus Thuram
According to Sport, there is a lengthy queue of clubs from across Europe forming to sign Thuram this summer.
From England there is Newcastle, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea. From Spain there is Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Sevilla. Then there is Inter Milan from Italy and Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
Unsurprisingly, Thuram is going to have his pick of some top class clubs, which was to be expected given his contract status.
Combine that with the season he is having, and Thuram is understandably a man in demand. The 25-year-old has made 20 appearances for Gladbach during the current campaign, and has 17 goal contributions.
Those numbers are a big reason why he is so in demand, and Barcelona reportedly believe they have an advantage. Sport state that the fact Marcus’ father Lilian played at the Nou Camp could boost Barca’s bid to sign the France international.
However, Newcastle will feel they have an ace up their sleeve too.
Saint-Maximin wants Thuram at Newcastle
While Thuram’s dad used to play for Barcelona, his friend Allan Saint-Maximin plays for Newcastle. And the winger has been very vocal about wanting Thuram to join him at St James’ Park.
After the Carabao Cup win against Bournemouth in December, Maxi told the Shields Gazette that he hopes the Magpies can bring Thuram to the North East.
Hopefully Saint-Maximin’s dream becomes a reality, as Thuram is an excellent player – someone who has previously been described as ‘world class‘.
He is versatile too, and can play anywhere across the front. Newcastle will certainly be in the market for players like him if we qualify for next season’s Champions League.
But given the amount of competition, it is going to be incredibly hard to sign Marcus Thuram.
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