Newcastle Target Offered No 10 Shirt At Current Club

Newcastle United remain keen on bringing long-term target Florian Thauvin to Tyneside this summer - but Marseille are doing everything in their power to attempt to keep the France international at the Stade Velodrome. The Chronicle claim that the Ligue 1 side will offer Thauvin the No 10 jersey - vacated by Andre Ayew, who moved to Swansea City this summer - in a bid to convince him to stay. Last week L€™Equipe reported that the Magpies had tabled a joint bid for both Thauvin and his defensive-midfield teammate Mario Lemina of somewhere in the region of £15 million.

With Marseille having paid £12 million to Lille for Thauvin in 2013, the Ligue 1 side hope to make a 33% profit on the winger and were initially intending on holding out for £18 million despite the Frenchman€™s poor performances over the last couple of seasons. However, the fact they are strapped for cash could see them accept less. Marseille have already sold Dmitri Payet to West Ham United for £11 million and Giannelli Imbula to Porto for £22 million this summer - and they may need to continue to recoup funds, so Thauvin is another who could depart, although they would prefer to hold on to him. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Tyneside in the past because he is a favourite of chief scout Graham Carr€™s and reports in May claimed the Magpies were close to agreeing a £12 million fee for the France Under-21 winger, although nothing came to fruition. Thauvin started his career at Grenoble before moving to Bastia in 2011. A £2.5 million 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. The 5ft 10in forward - who can operate in the centre, but usually plays wide in an attacking system or as a winger - has been seen as the next-best thing in France for five years now, but can Newcastle really get the best out of him? For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.