Following a nightmare spell at St.James’ Park, Florian Thauvin has confirmed he won’t be returning to Newcastle, after enjoying his best season to date – earning him his first ever call up to the French national squad last week.
Just yesterday, Thauvin confirmed, in an interview with RMC Sport, that he will not be returning from Marseille, as the Frenchman opened up about his nightmare spell on Tyneside. It has also been revealed that the 24 year-old had start just three games to trigger the clause in the loan deal, making his move to Marseille a permanent one in the summer.
Speaking to RMC Sport yesterday, Thauvin said:
“It was a loan with an automatic purchase,”
“After three games I belonged to Marseille so it was almost a transfer. No doubt, I’ll be at Marseille next season.”
The winger, who cost the Magpies £12 million in the summer of 2015, also revealed how his time in Newcastle has served to benefit him:
“My season in Newcastle, even if it was complicated, did me good. It made me grow up and I became another man on my way back from England. “
“I’m 24 years old now. It’s been a while since I’ve been working on myself to be consistent at every game.
“My visit to England made me feel good and made me understand certain things about high level requirements. I hope to be ready for this new status. In any case, I would do my utmost to assume it. “
“I hope to be ready for this new status and will do my utmost to maintain those levels.”
This news confirms some of the things we learned last week, as we caught up with Ligue 1 journalist and Marseille expert, Mohammed Ali, in a revealing exclusive interview with NUFCblog.co.uk.
Thauvin is set to make his senior debut for the French national side over the International break. His recent rise to the top will no doubt make Newcastle fan’s look back at his NUFC career with regret, however, the winger never looked settled at Newcastle, where his heart was never truly in it.
His move back to his homeland has worked out well for all parties – good luck to him.
