Newcastle are the unlikely frontrunner in the chase for pending free agent Marcus Thuram if a recent report from Italy is to be believed. Sport Witness has cited the claim from Gazzetta dello Sport that The Magpies are in pole position to sign the French international.
Newcastle’s latest interest in Thuram stretches back to late last year – even further if you consider he was a target when with Guingamp in 2019. That summer Thuram landed with Borussia Monchengladbach where he has made 128 appearances with 43 goals and 26 assists.
After a lukewarm campaign a year ago, the 25-year-old has refound his form this time around bagging 15 goals in 26 appearances. His time at Borussia Park will end after four seasons with the club accepting defeat in their attempts to retain him.
His value as a free agent makes him a hot commodity entering this summer. However, some reports claim that both Bayern Munich and Chelsea have cooled their interest leaving Newcastle in a better position to land the versatile attacker.
Allan Saint-Maximin admitted late last year to discussing a move to Newcastle with his compatriot. The two have been friends since their days playing youth football in France.
The latest report says Thuram will not make a decision until next month. There are still plenty of top clubs interested like Inter Milan, who have reportedly offered him a lucrative contract.
We’ll soon find out if there is anything in these reports. No local journalists have listed Thuram as a serious target though there haven’t been many reports on which forwards Eddie Howe prefers this summer.
120 comments so far
IrishRob
Mar 22, 2023 at 9:59 PM
Comment #41Runway,
That’s sloppy work, you left out Kvaratskhelia…
Scythe
Mar 22, 2023 at 10:00 PM
Comment #42Here’s a song for Jessie and her ax throwing…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bS6y86CImvA
Full disclosure – this isn’t my kind of music. Country music/slide guitars are like nails down a chalk board for me, but someone may enjoy it! 😀
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 22, 2023 at 10:04 PM
Comment #43CF, throwing guitars is soooo 1960s. Or was it the 70s? 🙄
NY Mag
Mar 22, 2023 at 10:09 PM
Comment #44Whoever we sign, they’ll be good 🙂
Ronway
Mar 22, 2023 at 10:10 PM
Comment #45IrishRob – #41
Sloppy indeed, although there are some I couldn’t even spell, never mind pronounce.
🙂
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 22, 2023 at 10:50 PM
Comment #46Ronway, that’s some list. Problem is, it’s going to get exponentially worse. I suppose one man’s wish list is another man’s click bait. Dare to dream?
Davas
Mar 22, 2023 at 10:53 PM
Comment #47Seems like Keane and Souness aren’t as impressed with Rice
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65047118
CLINT FLICK
Mar 22, 2023 at 11:48 PM
Comment #48Agm
Less a decade, more an attitude (problem?).
It’s fun, anyway…in a ‘letting it all hang out’ kinda way.
😀
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 23, 2023 at 12:12 AM
Comment #49Hate to be picky but I can’t help feeling someone is missing off that list!
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 23, 2023 at 12:12 AM
Comment #50CF, letting it all hang out can get you into a world of trouble. (So I’m told) 😮 Time for bed, Granddad duty later.
Scythe
Mar 23, 2023 at 12:42 AM
Comment #51Letting it all hang out is great sometimes, but really bad at other times. That’s what the bus driver told me as he escorted me from his bus…
ChicoUSA
Mar 23, 2023 at 1:33 AM
Comment #52Massive changes coming this summer. Some expiring contracts most of which are unlikely to be renewed. Some players out on loan with obligations or options to be sold. Some out on loan that will almost certainly be sold or out on loan again. Some on current squad under contract that will be sold or sent out on loan.
How many of the following will be in 25 man squad next season?
A. Expiring Contracts, currently on 25 man squad
– Karius
– Ritchie
– Dummett
– Mark Gillespie
B. Expiring Contracts, not on current 25 man squad
– Clark
– M. Longstaff
C. Under Contract, not on current 25 man squad
– Darlow (On Loan, w/ option or obligation to buy?)
– Wood (On Loan, w/ option or obligation to buy?)
– Gayle (On Loan again or Sold if possible)
– Hendrick (On Loan again or Sold if possible)
D. Under Contract, on 25 man squad might be sold
– Dubravka
– Manquillo
– Lewis
– Fraser
– ASM (??)?
E. Under Contract, not on 25 man squad
– Emil Kraft
ChicoUSA
Mar 23, 2023 at 2:08 AM
Comment #53Add to group C above Issak Hayden. The was an obligation to buy him in his loan deal to Norwich, but not sure the conditions were met to trigger the obligation before he was injured. ???
ChicoUSA
Mar 23, 2023 at 2:18 AM
Comment #54My guess would be only 4 players on 25 man squad next season from the list above:
1. Dubravka or Karius (not both)
2. Krafth or Manquillo (as either might cover as 3rd choice RB or LB)
3. ASM ? (a complete enigma….great in some games, more often horrendous)
4. Gillespie ? as 3rd choice Keeper.
Also never know about Dummett or Ritchie as both are great for team chemistry so might get 1 year deals to stick around.
ChicoUSA
Mar 23, 2023 at 2:19 AM
Comment #55But the rest??? Bye Bye! Thanks for your service! 😉
The overrated Frenchman
Mar 23, 2023 at 3:22 AM
Comment #56I rarely agree with Fenham but I think he is spot on @ comment 18. Rice made our midfield look second rate. As I said after the
game he tore them to shreds. He made Longstaff look like the champion player he is.
The overrated Frenchman
Mar 23, 2023 at 3:24 AM
Comment #57Correction: “he made Longstaff look like the “Championship”player he is
Not another deJong
Mar 23, 2023 at 5:08 AM
Comment #58Chico
From your list of 17 players potentially leaving due to end of contract, sold, or loaned, I would guess at least 5 will be retained. Judging by previous experience actually selling players from the Ashley era seems difficult.
Not another deJong
Mar 23, 2023 at 5:21 AM
Comment #59Of the six with expiring contracts, as you say Ritchie and Dummett may be kept if they are willing not to be in the PL squad and only potentially play in cup / European(!) games.
I would perhaps make Karius the back up keeper and buy in a young player to develop into #1.
ASM and Krafth will probably stay unless a suitable offer which they want the club to accept comes up.
But I think the club will struggle to off load the other 9 players and another year on loan maybe the only option.
Not another deJong
Mar 23, 2023 at 5:27 AM
Comment #60Alternatively, if we do qualify for Europe and with the recent clangers, I can see the owners upgrading on Pope. But they may hold off radically changing the goal keeping group for another year if not.
Not another deJong
Mar 23, 2023 at 5:35 AM
Comment #61Of the current 25 man squad, there are 9 players listed with question marks about being offered new contracts, or sold. Hopefully the potential for six new transfers to raise the quality of the squad and create competition for starting places will be a reality. Whilst three remain, being most likely Karius, ASM and Krafth in my opinion.
valle
Mar 23, 2023 at 5:50 AM
Comment #62TDS
If it was a joke, then fair enough… It just didn’t come across that way.
Not another deJong
Mar 23, 2023 at 5:54 AM
Comment #63Newcastle United
25 Squad players (*Home grown = 13)
Almiron Rejala, Miguel Angel
Apolinario De Lira, Joelinton Cassio
Botman, Sven Adriaan
Burn, Daniel Johnson*
Dubravka, Martin
Dummett, Paul*
Fraser, Ryan
Gillespie, Mark Joseph*
Guimaraes Rodriguez Moura, Bruno
Isak, Alexander
Karius, Loris Sven
Kraft, Emil Henry Kristoffer
Lascelles, Jamaal*
Lewis, Jamal*
Longstaff, Sean David*
Manquillo Gaitan, Javier
Murphy, Jacob Kai*
Pope, Nicholas David*
Ritchie, Matthew Thomas*
Saint Maximin, Allan Irenee
Schar, Fabian Lukas
Targett, Matthew Robert*
Trippier, Kieran John*
Willock, Joseph George*
Wilson, Callum Eddie Graham*
In my opinion,
Likely leavers:
Dummett
Fraser
Gillespie
Lewis
Manquillo
Ritchie
Trades:
Dubravka
Krafth
Lascelles
ASM
valle
Mar 23, 2023 at 5:59 AM
Comment #64Cliint
Ok mate, I didn’t hear about the 7 million. But that seems like a plausible offer from Forrest, considering the way they have been throwing away money.
He was actually a player I like, same as with Maxi. I really would have liked to see certain players get to experience champions league with us.
Imagine that they have been fighting just to survive in the EPL for years under MA, and now they can actually be part of the team that get to that huge next step that is the champions league?.
But no room for sentimentality I guess.
Not another deJong
Mar 23, 2023 at 6:01 AM
Comment #65Controversially, I would also consider trading Almiron whilst he is at his peak value. The likelihood is that his form will not continue and probably due to repetitive injury.
Trippier, Schar & Wilson will also probably drop off in number of appearances, due to age. But will likely be retained.
check the toastie
Mar 23, 2023 at 6:26 AM
Comment #66We shall see how good Declan Slice is in a couple of weeks.
Slows everything down and is one dimensional. Dont agree with Sourness often but hes spot on with Rice
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 23, 2023 at 6:56 AM
Comment #67Chico,
Excellent post that on previous thread, thanks for taking the time to point that out.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 23, 2023 at 7:03 AM
Comment #68It’s a funny one with Dubs, personally I’d like Karius to stay and Dubs to do one, none of us know the full story of his leaving and subsequently ending up with a winners medal for Man U but I don’t think it would paint him in a good light if it did come out, just my opinion mind. But given that Dubs is still number two despite Karius’ very confident display in the final tells me that he wants to establish himself as a number one somewhere else, something he looks well capable of. Has Dubs not got young kids, maybe him and his wife are settled here with the kids in school etc and if he’s come to terms with being a number two that leaves us very well stocked in the GK area. As for Gillespie, there really is no need to retain him, third keepers are very rarely used so surely it’s time to promote the U21 keeper tbc
NY Mag
Mar 23, 2023 at 7:21 AM
Comment #69Jail,
I think Gillespie’s contract is up this summer, can’t see a renewal to be honest
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 23, 2023 at 7:35 AM
Comment #70NY Mag,
I’ll get to Gillespie in a bit, I’ve got stuff to do 😕
NY Mag
Mar 23, 2023 at 7:43 AM
Comment #71Jail.
Howay…..what’s more important than the breakfast club 🙂
sing in the corner
Mar 23, 2023 at 7:52 AM
Comment #72NadJ I think alluded to looking at cashing in on Miggy while his stock is high..
I kind of agree ish.
He is a delight to have. His game, his quality / value is all based around his incredible engine and his desire / willingness to haul ass around every square inch of the pitch like a deranged Rottweiler pup.
When his legs start to go just a little, for whatever reason, he will fade away very quickly. All of which is very sad, but in my estimation he is not one of those who you’d think is destined for a long career at the top, for the reasons above.
I sincerely hope he proves me totally wrong.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 23, 2023 at 7:58 AM
Comment #73Valle
Totally agree, mate.
Sometimes it’s all about timing.
Both have done great things with us, but there’s a time to move on too.
Certain players only go so far with a club.
sing in the corner
Mar 23, 2023 at 8:11 AM
Comment #74I was looking at the Kulusevski situation at Spurs..
I wonder if he is someone we could consider. He is a Swedish teammate of Isak’s who can play on either flank. Supposed to be quick, a good dribbler and crosser, with more end product than St Max. He is only at Spurs on loan, and not starting regularly..
sing in the corner
Mar 23, 2023 at 8:24 AM
Comment #75He’s only 22 as well..
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 23, 2023 at 8:30 AM
Comment #76Chico
Annoyingly you did a much better job of categorising players that could be leaving than I did yesterday 😆 cracking post, and if we could sell all of those not in contention still under contract then that would free up considerable wages and require a serious recruitment drive to have a solid squad capable of competing on all fronts.
As someone rightly pointed out though, previous experience has shown it’s somewhat tricky to move players from the Ashley era on.
I think all players whose contracts are expiring will be allowed to leave – possible exception of Karius if we can sell Dubravka and Darlow.
Manquillo, Lewis, Fraser, Hendrick, Gayle and Darlow will be the hardest to shift. Wood’s permanent move to Forest has already been confirmed.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 23, 2023 at 8:34 AM
Comment #77I wasn’t actually finished that post but perhaps for the best as it was long enough haha
What I was going to say is that with 6 expiring contracts, a further 6 either in the squad/on loan who have no future at the club and the possible sale of ASM added to that, there’s the need to go on a serious squad rebuild by bringing in a considerable number of players.
We should be in for a very busy summer transfer window. Anyone who has been judging Ashworth up until now should probably wait until this summer’s window as that’ll be when he’ll earn his crust I reckon.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 23, 2023 at 8:36 AM
Comment #78On Gillespie, there really isn’t any poi t in retaining him and hopefully he can work with Iron Mike at Gateshead and return to us on the coaching staff one day, as I say you rarely use a third keeper so an U21 could play his normal games while being unnamed and on standby in the rare event he is needed.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 23, 2023 at 8:38 AM
Comment #79I think it’s telling regarding Karius that he went from a good display at Wembley to not being number two against Wolves, that tells me he is away and Dubs is staying.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 23, 2023 at 8:38 AM
Comment #80Miggy, repetitive injury???