Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed that in-demand forward Marcus Thuram will be leaving the club when his contract expires in the summer.
Thuram, who is the son of legendary defender Lilian Thuram, has been linked with several Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle. Monchengladbach had been hopeful the 25-year-old would sign a new deal and remain in the Bundesliga, but he has rejected their offers and will be leaving at the end of the season along with defender Ramy Bensebaini.
"We were in open communication with both players and knew the current status," Monchengladbach's sporting director Roland Virkus announced. "It's a shame that they won't be extending their expiring contracts, because we've both given a lot in terms of sport over the past four years.
"It's always been part of our path over the past few years to bring in such talented players, to develop them further – and at some point let them go because we can't keep them forever.
"Ideally, we'll get an attractive transfer fee with these transfers. Of course, it's not good that that's not the case now." Monchengladbach boss Daniel Farke, who spent four years in charge of Norwich City, added: "It's good to have clarity.
"The job for Marcus and Ramy is to give their all until their final minute and defend the Borussia shirt. If the fans see that, then they will give them a worthy send-off."
And while Thuram has been heavily linked with a switch to the Premier League, his father has previously hinted he could follow in his footsteps and join Barcelona. Speaking at the presentation of his book El Pensamiento Blanco earlier this year, Lilian was asked about the prospect of Marcus moving to the Camp Nou.
"Every player has the dream of playing for Barca, that's a reality," he admitted. "But I don't know if there is interest or a contract. The important thing for Marcus is that he continues to improve to be better."
And Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo have claimed Barcelona are interested in signing Thuram, stating that the 25-year-old is "one of the players on Barça's agenda as a possible reinforcement up front".
