Newcastle Transfer Round-Up: Every Player Linked From July 13th-19th

11. Florian Thauvin (Marseille)

Newcastle United look set to be disappointed in their long pursuit of Florian Thauvin €“ with the winger stating that he wants €œat least one more season€ at Marseille. The 22-year-old 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 and Inter Milan. A long-term target for the Magpies, Newcastle have seen several offers rebuffed this summer €“ including the latest, which was £12 million plus Remy Cabella on a season-long loan. Speaking to Marseille€™s official website, Thauvin said of his future:

€œI€™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. €œComing to OM (Marseille) was really what I wanted, and I can€™t allow myself to leave the club by the back door. €œI 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 £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.