Newcastle United playmaker Remy Cabella has "had contact" with Marseille about moving to France, with Florian Thauvin possibly going the other way, according to reports in France. La Provence reported on Thursday that Marseille are looking to plug the gap left in their midfield by Dimitri Payet's move to West Ham United by taking Cabella on a season-long loan. And the French outlet maintained on Friday that, despite protestations to the contrary from Cabella's father, a deal has been discussed between the Magpies and Marseille. Any such deal could also allow forward Florian Thauvin, long-tracked by Newcastle, to make the move to St James Park from Ligue 1 - although the former France Under-21 forward is not said to be keen on switching Marseille for the North East of England. On Thursday, Cabella's father and agent, Hector, told L'Equipe that his son would not depart Tyneside this summer. He said:
"My son feels very good in Newcastle. He's going to start pre-season on July 1st. "He has ambitions of having a good season with Euro 2016 (in France) in mind. "We haven't had any discussion with OM (Marseille), nor with anyone else. "He signed for six years last summer - he's not going to leave after a season."
Despite his father's protestations, Cabella certainly wants first-team football in 2015-16 in order to increase his chances of playing at the European Championship Cabella, who moved to Newcastle for a fee in the region of £12 million last season, was the subject of several Marseille bids while at Montpellier - but a transfer never materialised. It is believed that the 25-year-old French international is unhappy on Tyneside and would welcome the opportunity to return to Ligue 1 in a bid to add to his four French caps - and he has reportedly told his agent to find him a new club, either across The Channel or in Spain. Cabella contributed just one goal and two assists in 34 appearances across all competitions for the Magpies last season. For Montpellier, Cabella scored 25 goals in 97 appearances and was rated as one of Frances best young talents before his ill-fated switch to Newcastle. Whatculture.com/nufc understands that, although Newcastle are frustrated by the lack of value Cabella offered last season, they believe he will come good under a technical coach such as Steve McClaren - but they may still sanction a swap deal for Thauvin. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
