Borussia Mönchengladbach director of football Roland Virkus has insisted they will not sell Marcus Thuram for the sake of it in January, amid interest from the likes of Newcastle United.
Thuram is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning he is free to negotiate a free transfer for the summer window from January 1st.
This has attracted a host of clubs in Europe after his performances this season, after he scored ten goals and registered three assists in 15 games in the Bundesliga before the World Cup break.
He followed that with an assist for France in Qatar, something that has only added to his burgeoning reputation.
Newcastle are one of those who are believed to be keen, with Eddie Howe’s side likely to be busy strengthening in January to build on an impressive first half of the season.
A report earlier this week insisted they are ‘serious’ about a move for Thuram, even if they do have some convincing to do to get him to St James Park.
“You always have to weigh up what the financial return would be and what the sporting value of these players is,” he told BILD.
“It’s no secret that losing such players without a transfer fee would really hurt the club. But we also have to weigh up what we would jeopardise in sporting terms if we sold them.
“The league is very tight. And we have to make sure that we are also able to break away from the bottom.
“As a club, you only have a certain limit – and you can’t go beyond that limit. We have communicated openly and honestly with the players what we can afford. You have to work with this reality. And you can’t force a player to extend his contract.”
