Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport have been recently running the story of Lazio’s interest in Newcastle star Florian Thauvin.
It has been reported the Serie A side have already contacted Thauvin’s agent to ask about their required costs and to see if the player would be interested.
Saturday’s edition of Corriere dello Sport has another update on Thauvin’s future. It is reported Newcastle would be willing to sell the Frenchman for around €13m, but Lazio could sign him on loan, with an option to buy him at the end of the season.
Corriere dello Sport say Thauvin has made it clear to Newcastle that he isn’t going to play in the Championship, and won’t be taking part in the pre-season training. Which sounds a little drastic.
Thauvin still has another four years left on his deal at Newcastle, and it’s not clear if Rafael Benitez is keen on keeping him or not.
If Benitez sees Thauvin as a part of his future plans then a loan deal would be perfect for all parties involved, but we have to wait and see if Lazio would want to sign him without the option to buy.
It’s worth mentioning recently reports on French website La Provence suggested Marseille are close to extending Thauvin’s loan agreement, and that would seem the better destination for him.
Corriere dello Sport’s Saturday story is very similar to their Friday story, with a few added bits thrown in. It may be likelier that the Italian newspaper are twisting things than Thauvin refusing to consider returning to Newcastle, so he deserves that benefit of the doubt.
Thauvin made 20 appearances for Marseille during his six month loan spell, and things got better toward the end. After long saying a stay at Marseille would be impossible, the French press started warming to the idea recently.
