Newcastle Have "£12m Offer Rejected" For Long-Term Target

Newcastle United have had a £12 million bid rejected by Marseille for former France Under-21 international winger Florian Thauvin, according to reports in France. RMC claim that the Magpies have seen their latest offer of ‚17 million (£12 million) rebuffed by the Ligue 1 side, who appear determined to keep hold of their star midfielder. In fact, the French winger himself admitted earlier this month that he has been tempted to stay at the Stade Velodrome after being offered the No 10 jersey - and a more expansive role next season.

Thauvin claims he has €œnever cheated€ and €œnever lied€ about his future and that his intention was always to remain in Ligue 1, despite reported interest from Newcastle. A long-term target for the Magpies, Newcastle have now seen several offers rebuffed this summer. Speaking to Marseille€™s official website, Thauvin said of his future earlier this month:

"I'm a footballer, and I do my job. The press do what they have to do. I know that I€™ve never cheated and that I've never lied to myself, so really it doesn€™t matter what people say. "Coming to OM (Marseille) was really what I wanted, and I can't allow myself to leave the club by the back door. "I want to succeed at OM and that means playing here for at least one more season."

Thauvin started his career at Grenoble before moving to Bastia in 2011. A transfer to Lille followed in 2013 but the French winger was immediately loaned back to Bastia where he scored 10 times in 51 games. It was in 2013 that Marseille beat Newcastle to Thauvin€™s signature - and he has scored 15 goals and provided 14 assists in 79 appearances since. He has also netted seven times in 10 France Under-21 games. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.