Arsenal are considering a move for prolific Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram, who is out of contract next summer.
What’s the word?
Interest in the Frenchman’s services has been piping hot of late, with the £26.3m-rated phenom expected to depart the Foals in search of pastures new.
Inter Milan are one team with sights set on drawing the player to the San Siro on a pre-contract deal, with Gazzatta dello Sport reporting contact could be made in the coming weeks.
However, a cluster of English outfits are also intrigued by the possibility of clinching the star, who has 13 goals and four assists in 17 matches this term, with table-toppers Arsenal expressing interest, according to MilanLive.it.
The Gunners are considered to be targeting forward additions in the winter transfer market, and Thuram could be a shrewd acquisition available on a cut-price deal.
Excellent Mudryk alternative
With little over six months remaining on his deal, Thuram could indeed be available for a reduced fee, with Monchengladbach perhaps inclined to cash in on their prized offensive asset before his contract ends.
With the Italian giants set on luring the 25-year-old in, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may be wise to act swiftly and clinch the four-cap France international before entering a contractual war.
With the north London outfit set on bolstering offensive options in January, the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk have been heavily touted to complete a move.
However, with the Ukrainian outfit asking for roughly £85m for the 21-year-old, targeting Thuram might be viewed as a no-brainer by the Gunners hierarchy.
It’s clear to see why the player is attracting attention like moths to a lightbulb, with his prolific nature just one hue to his vibrant rainbow of ability.
The Parma-born ace ranks in the top 5% for non-penalty xG this season, demonstrating his frontline versatility while sitting in the top 8% for dribbles completed and the top 9% for touches in the attacking penalty area when compared to positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.
Granted, Mudryk outranks him across these metrics, it’s worth noting he plays outside the established big five leagues, and possesses a lesser direct goal threat than his French counterpart, who could bring exactly what Arsenal with creativity already brimming at the club.
Thuram’s cheaper arrival would also permit further signings to be forged across the board, consequently solidifying the collective strength of the team and setting Arteta’s squad in good stead to make use of the current five-point advantage over Manchester City and secure the Premier League trophy.
Thuram, son of World Cup winner Lilian, has scored five goals with each foot in the German Bundesliga this season, illuminating a dynamism that can outfox opposition defences and provide a consistent goal threat from every angle.
Hailed as “an extraordinary player” last month by head coach Daniel Farke, Thuram is slowly starting to live up to such a claim, decimating opposing backlines and earning recognition as a “world-class striker” by the likes of Wolfburg’s sports director Marcel Schafer.
Returning from the depths of injury last season with a resounding impact, shining brightly and catching the eye of the likes of Arsenal, who could use his skill set in their pursuit of the Premier League crown.
