One of the biggest summer transfer battles is about to heat up with Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham all battling to sign one of the Bundesliga’s top strikers soon to be available as a free agent.
Premier League clubs embarked on a record-breaking January window this month, parting ways with a staggering £815m. Unsurprisingly, it was Chelsea who led the way, with Todd Boehly’s side lavishing close to £300m on new arrivals.
The most costly of these, Enzo Fernandez, though, has been told he is not worth the British record fee paid for him, with two Premier League stars already far superior.
That spending, particularly at Chelsea, shows no signs of abating this summer either. With the Premier League established as the most competitive in the world, the scramble to stay among the elite becomes fiercier each year.
But as well as battling to avoid relegation, the dogfight to reach the top four and the Champions League is equally intense.
This season, the likes of the Blues and Liverpool have fallen off the pace. And that may open the door for both Arsenal and Newcastle to return to the competition.
Arsenal certainly look well placed. Sat atop the Premier League, it would take a drastic collapse over the second half for them to finish outside the top four.
Securing Champions League football will certainly give Arsenal further funds to strengthen their squad. Yet their next attacking addition may well be on a free if reports are to be believed.
To that end, Arsenal are reportedly one of the leading suitors to sign Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram.
The France star is nearing the end of his deal at the Bundesliga side and can depart on a free.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs chasing Marcus Thuram
Having scored 65 goals in 274 career games, the 25-year-old certainly knows his way to goal.
Indeed, his record in the Bundesliga for Gladbach is more impressive. To that end, he has 41 in 121 games for Die Fohlen.
That record of just better than a goal every three matches certainly makes him an appealing signing.
Strongly linked with a move during January, with Chelsea among his suitors, Thuram opted to stay put and wait for the summer.
Now according to AS, the race to sign Thuram on a free is already gathering pace.
They claim six clubs are chasing his signature, with the Gunners ready to battle Tottenham and Liverpool for his signature.
In addition, there is strong interest in Spain from Atletico Madrid, while Juventus and Inter Milan are also keen.
However, AS claims Thuram has already made it clear he wants to play in the Champions League next season. And with Juventus – after a 15-point deduction – and Liverpool facing an upwards battle to secure a top-four spot, they look out the running.
That seemingly narrows down the striker’s choices. However, Newcastle or Man Utd – both linked with January moves – may yet reactivate their interest.
However, a move to the Premier League does appear likely, given the riches on offer. Indeed, Premier League sides could also look to tempt him by offering hugely-inflated wages and a signing-on fee in lieu of a transfer fee.
Capable of playing across the front three or as a central striker, it is easy to see why Thuram is being billed as one of the ‘bargains of the summer’.
