Aston Villa set to lock horns with Arsenal, Newcastle & Tottenham for ‘bargain’ World Cup star

Aston Villa have reportedly been told the price they need to pay to sign January transfer target Marcus Thuram. The Borussia Mönchengladbach forward, who is also wanted by Newcastle United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, could be signed for a third of his market value.

With 10 goals and three assists in 15 Bundesliga appearances this season, Thuram has been in fine form and is the second top scorer in the division, level with Niclas Fullkrug of Freiburg. Only RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku, with 12, has netted on more occasions than the pair this term.

As Thuram’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign, Mönchengladbach are willing to sell the French international for around €10 million (£8.6 million), according to French journalist Ignazio Genuardi, via Sport Witness. His report states Arsenal and Tottenham are “more or less attentive” to the situation, whereas Newcastle and Villa are ready to make a move.

It is said a bid could come from either side “as early as this winter”, and Mönchengladbach would be keen to receive a cut-price fee rather than losing Thuram for nothing in June. As Newcastle already signed Alexander Isak in the summer for around £68 million, one would not be surprised if Villa were to be more desperate for a new striker.

Thuram, who has played five times for the French national team and is currently part of the squad in Qatar, would add competition to the forward line at Villa Park - pushing the likes of Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings to their limits. At just 25 years of age, Thuram is heading into his prime and could perhaps help the Lions move toward their goal of playing in Europe.

Since signing for Mönchengladbach from EA Guingamp in 2018, Thuram has played one season each in the Europa League and Champions League. The striker has scored four goals and contributed five assists in 14 appearances across the two competitions, so he is no stranger to performing at a continental level. He now also has experience of playing in a World Cup, having come off the bench in France’s 4-1 win over Australia.