Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Roland Virkus has confirmed Newcastle United transfer target Marcus Thuram will be available on a free transfer this summer. The Magpies are one of a host of clubs linked to the France international, who will leave the Bundesliga club at the end of his contract following a four-year stay.
Newcastle scouts have watched Thuram on several occasions in recent seasons, and the 25-year-old impressed in cameo appearances at the World Cup. The versatile forward has netted 16 goals in all competitions for Gladbach this season, despite ongoing speculation surrounding his future.
Thuram has previously been said to favour a move to Serie A over a Premier League switch, with Inter Milan considered among the frontrunners. Following months of rumours, Virkus has announced both Thuram and defender Ramy Bensebaini will leave as free agents this summer.
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He told the club's media via Get Football News Germany: “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.”
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