€32m Toon target set for free agent move as sporting director confirms exit - One to watch?

Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Roland Virkus has confirmed that Marcus Thuram will leave on a free at the end of the season following interest from Newcastle.

The Frenchman was linked with a move to Tyneside in January with a cut-price fee of around £10m being quoted for his services, but a deal never materialised and he stayed on at the Bundesliga side.

With the ability to play up top or out wide, Thuram's versatility would be huge for us next season should we qualify for a European competition, not to mention the fact he's netted 16 times for Gladbach this term.

The 25-year-old is also good friends with Allan Saint-Maximin having played together at youth level at Bouloge-Billancourt, representing France at Under-17, Under-20 and Under-21 level.

It is very likely that the Italian-born forward will demand a high wage, but the lack of transfer fee could really appeal as we look to sign quality players while staying within FFP restrictions. After all, he's valued at €32m by Transfermarkt and is a France international who could add pace, power and versatility to our attack.

Here's what Virkus told the German media, confirming Thuram and teammate Ramy Bensebaini will both leave for nothing at the end of the season:

“We were in open exchange with both players and knew the current status. It is a pity that they will not renew their expiring contracts because both of us have given us a lot of sports in the past four years.

"And we also understand that our fans are disappointed that the two don’t stay. However, in recent years, it has always been part of our way to get such talented players, to develop them further – and to let them go at some point because we can’t keep them forever.

"Ideally, we will achieve an attractive transfer with these transfers. Of course, it is not good that this is not the case. But both boys are players who can make the difference.

"Both have helped us in sports in recent years and are still doing so at the moment. Therefore, despite all justified disappointment, they deserve a stylish farewell.”