Florian Thauvin arrived on Tyneside from Marseille just last month and he has already been linked with a move away to the most unlikely of destinations – Barcelona.
Barça are on the look out for a Pedro replacement – who recently signed for Chelsea – and the Spanish giants have reportedly identified Thauvin as a potential target, as per Mundo Deportivo (quoted by The Chronicle).
While our new €14million signing is probably flattered that the Spanish news outlet rate him highly enough to link him with a move to Barcelona, it is unlikely that the Frenchman has put much thought into leaving Newcastle just two weeks after putting pen-to-paper on a five-year deal.
Thauvin was tipped for greatness when he was younger and has a keen admirer in the shape of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger – who predicted the 22-year-old to be a star.
“For me, he is one of the big prospects of French football,” Arsene said. “He will go higher. He is only 20. His progress now will not depend on his talent but on his mentality.”
Since arriving on Tyneside, Thauvin has showed to the Geordie faithful exactly what he’s about – a fast, energetic player with the confidence to drive at the opposition’s defense. His direct approach and fearlessness when faced with defenders makes him an automatic step up from Remy Cabella, who struggled to cope with the demands of the Premier League.
It is clear that Steve McClaren will look to utilise Thauvin and his fellow countryman Moussa Sissoko on either wing as ball carriers to take the strain off Newcastle defensively and aid the transition between attack and defence.
Comments.
Loading comments…