Man Utd mirror Tottenham move for France international with stunning double coup edging closer

Steve Pearson 15 Mar 2023 10:41 AM

France stars Eduardo Camavinga and Marcus Thuram

Two high profile suitors have pulled out of the race to sign a lethal French forward, with the path now cleared for Man Utd or Tottenham to strike a deal after both sides opened contact, per reports.

Sky Sports recently shed light on Tottenham’s all or nothing plan for Harry Kane. The Spurs talisman is out of contract at the end of next season and per the outlet, Tottenham will not entertain a summer sale even if Kane refuses to sign a new deal.

As such, Tottenham may well wind up losing Kane for nothing in 16 months’ time. However, their risky stance will at least ensure Kane remains in north London for one more season at a minimum.

With Kane not on the move (for now), Man Utd will have to turn their their striker search elsewhere.

The likes of Tammy Abraham, Victor Osimhen, Lautaro Martinez and Dusan Vlahovic from Italy have all been linked. So too has Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram, though his arrival would allow Ten Hag to make a second signing too.

The Frenchman, 25, has been a revelation this season ever since transitioning from a left winger into a centre-forward.

Thuram has bagged 14 goals and four assists in 25 matches for Gladbach this term. His exploits at club level earned him a place in Didier Deschamps’ France squad in Qatar and Thuram featured heavily in the latter stages.

Thuram’s deal in Germany expires at season’s end and with the winter window long since closed, Gladbach’s final chance of recouping a fee has gone.

The fact Thuram will be available for free means whichever club pounces will still have their full transfer kitty intact to make another high profile signing.

All manner of clubs have been linked with Thuram, though per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, two are no longer serious contenders.

Chelsea, Bayern pull out; Man Utd, Tottenham go in

Plettenberg tweeted Chelsea and Bayern Munich are no longer in the race, a development that heightens the chances of Thuram joining Man Utd or Spurs instead.

Both sides are known admirers of Thuram and per Calciomercato, have both initiated contact with the player’s camp.

Newcastle too are mentioned, though it appears Spurs and Man Utd are leading the race at present.

Calcio’s report centres around Juventus and Inter Milan’s interest. However, they acknowledge the more lucrative salaries the Premier League sides can offer could see the Italian clubs blown away. Barcelona are another side known to be watching Thuram closely.

Thuram’s versatility could work wonders in both north London and Manchester. Indeed, with Kane set to stay, Thuram could revert to his left wing role or deputise up top in the rare instances Kane misses out.

Furthermore, if Kane were to depart in 2024, Tottenham would already have a viable successor at centre-forward in their ranks.

For Erik ten Hag, Thuram could play in whichever position he chooses not to deploy Marcus Rashford in. If Rashford features up top, Thuram can play on the left side and vice versa.

The fact Thuram is available for free is clearly a major factor in the widespread interest, though the Frenchman is a mighty fine player in his own right anyway.

The absence of a fee means United could land Thuram as well as a more recognised centre-forward, such as Napoli’s red-hot Osimhen.

A forward corps containing the likes of Thuram, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Antony, Rashford and potentially Osimhen too would provide Ten Hag with incredible strength in depth.

Marcus Thuram