Newcastle Transfer News: Report Claims Steve McClaren Set To Name First Transfer Of Summer

Newcastle United are set to make Florian Thauvin their first signing of the summer, according to a report in the Daily Star. New head coach Steve McClaren has finally sorted out his backroom staff for the 2015-16 season and he will now turn his attention to finalising some transfer dealings. With reports claiming that the Magpies had seen a £10.7 million bid for Thauvin rejected by Marseille earlier this week, The Daily Star now state that Newcastle will return with an improved offer this weekend.

Having paid £12 million to Lille for Thauvin in 2013, the Ligue 1 side hope to make a 33% profit on the winger and are holding out for £18 million despite the Frenchman's poor performances over the last couple of seasons. Yet it appears unlikely that Newcastle would open the bidding for the winger at such a high fee, seeing as that is near the top price range they would be willing to pay for Thauvin this summer - so the report needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Interestingly, however, Dimitri Payet's impending move to West Ham United from Marseille is not believed to be a determining factor in whether or not they can secure Thauvin's signature. Regardless of whether or not Payet leaves Marseille, the French club's financial position is so perilous that Thauvin will be allowed to move on as well. 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 last month claimed the Magpies were close to agreeing a £12 million fee for the France Under-21 winger, although nothing came to fruition.

The Chronicle did suggest on Tuesday, however, that Newcastle will finally look to secure the forward€™s signature this summer due to the fact he has been made available for transfer by Marseille. The extremely highly-rated Thauvin - who has already played for four different sides and has commanded transfer fees of a combined value of more than £15 million to date - is seen as an ideal replacement for Papiss Cisse, who the Magpies are looking to offload for £10 million this summer. The French winger started his career at Grenoble before moving to Bastia in 2011. A £2.5 million transfer to Lille followed in 2013 but Thauvin 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.