Newcastle United are close to completing a £12 million move for Marseille winger Florian Thauvin, with Remy Cabella also heading to Ligue 1 on loan, according to reports in France. RMC report that the Magpies' offer of £12 million (17 million) up front, plus Cabella on a season-long loan, was labelled "not refusable" by Marseille sources. It is claimed that Marseille's president Vincent Labrune was even pictured talking to Thauvin after Marseille's1-0 loss to Reims at the weekend, supposedly explaining to the winger that the bid is "too good to turn down". However, one potential snag is that Thauvin himself will need to be convinced that a move to the Premier League is the right one for him. Any deal for Thauvin would take Uniteds spending past the £50 million mark. The Toon have been linked with a move for the winger all summer long and have reportedly had a number of approaches knocked back by the former French champions. Thauvin has scored 15 goals and provided 14 assists in 79 appearances since signing for Marseille in 2013. He has also netted seven times in 10 France Under-21 games.
The 5ft 10in forward can operate in the centre, but usually plays wide in an attacking system or as a winger.
Speculation surrounding the 22-year-olds future has destroyed his relationship with LOMs fans. He was verbally abused and spat on after a home defeat to Caen last week, according to Get French Football News. Such behaviour may force him out of the Stade Velodrome and towards St James Park. 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.
