Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Newcastle, Man Utd forced into urgent action as Inter Milan make significant contract offer to 13-goal striker

Marcus Thuram and Kylian Mbappe

Newcastle and Manchester United will need to act fast if they want to sign an in-form Bundesliga striker after Inter Milan reportedly submitted a significant contract offer for the player.

Borussia Monchengladbach attacker Marcus Thuram’s contract will be up at the end of the season, which has prompted plenty of interest in the powerful France international.

Both Newcastle and United are known to be in the hunt for a new No.9 in January. However, it appears that Inter are determined to win the race for Thuram’s signature, with the forward having scored 13 times in just 17 games this season.

The player himself has already confirmed that he will not be extending his stay at Monchengladbach. To that end, he can sign a pre-contract with a club outside of Germany in January or his current club could accept a bargain fee in the new year to at least recoup something for his services.

Gladbach actually had a similar situation in January 2022 when they sold star midfielder Denis Zakaria. And, while the report from 90min states a willingness to sell again – Inter would prefer a free transfer deal next summer.

Indeed, Inter are said to have prepared a pre-contract offer worth €5m  (£4.4m) per season. And it’s stated that Thuram is open to the possibility of moving to Italy.

Thuram was actually born in Italy during his father Lilian’s decade-long stint in Serie A with Parma and Juventus.

However, interest from England remains significant, with Newcastle, Manchester United and Tottenham all have spoken to the 25-year-old’s representatives.

Newcastle leading the way in Premier League Thuram chase

Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is desperate to sign a striker in January, having allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to move. Although the Dutchman is said to have switched his focus to Ligue 1 after missing out to Liverpool in the chase for Cody Gakpo.

But it’s Eddie Howe’s high-flying Magpies who are showing the most concrete interest of all.

Indeed, current France star Allan Saint-Maximin has recommended Thuram to Newcastle. He admitted: “He is a great player and I hope we have a chance to take him here. Yeah, I will be honest, I have chatted with him.”

Howe has confirmed that Thuram is on the club’s radar and thanked ‘agent’ Saint-Maximin for his part in trying to get the forward on board.

“Well done, Maxi! He [Thuram] is a top player. But yeah, no more than that,” Howe said.

“He’s one that I watched in the World Cup for sure but no more than that.”

Unlike Inter, Newcastle are actually willing to pay a fee for Thuram and sign the player in January.

It’s reported that a figure of just £10million will be enough to do a deal. A figure that is small change for the cash-rich St James’ Park outfit.

The report adds that talks have so far been positive over Thuram moving to the Premier League. And Howe is confident the France star will slot in seamlessly on Tyneside.

Newcastle will need to act fast though to get their man after Inter’s initial offer was placed on the table.

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