Newcastle news: Magpies may have cause for concern as Chelsea ‘turn back’ on free agent | Football | Sport
The race for Marcus Thuram has taken a twist ahead of the summer transfer window as Bayern Munich and Chelsea are reportedly uninterested. That may give Newcastle United cause for concern, with manager Eddie Howe left to wonder why two European giants have turned their back on what looks to be an exciting free transfer opportunity.
Thuram is poised to let his Borussia Monchengladbach contract run down until the end of the season before leaving on a free. Gladbach chief Roland Virkus confirmed as much last month, telling fans he ‘did not want to sugarcoat’ the situation.
The 24-year-old came through in his native France but he has been in the Bundesliga since 2019, scoring 42 goals in 127 matches for Gladbach. He has timed his peak perfectly, too, with 11 goals and three assists in the league this term.
Big clubs circled in January, including Chelsea, but Sky Germany claim that the Blues and Bayern Munich have both cooled their interest in the 6ft 4in forward.
On the one hand, that represents positive news for the Magpies as the path towards Thuram’s signature clears. Tottenham are also rumoured to be in the hunt but the amount of forwards already in north London could put the Gladbach star off a move.
However, Newcastle must be left to wonder why Chelsea and Bayern – two top clubs in their respective leagues – are set to walk away from a player who will be attainable for free in just a few months’ time.
The German giants’ manager, Daniel Farke, has suggested that Thuram could be picky when it comes to his next destination, admitting back in January that ‘there are not many clubs that appeal to him’.
Son of legendary French footballer Lilian Thuram, Marcus had his senior breakthrough with Sochaux before two years at Guingamp preceded his move to Germany. Also able to play out wide, Thuram has amassed nine caps for the French national team and he featured regularly in their run to the World Cup final last year.
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