Tottenham are set for a battle with Atletico Madrid for the signing of Marcus Thuram from Borussia Monchengladbach.
That’s according to AS, who say Spurs will need to secure Champions League football for next season if they are to get the Frenchman.
The newspaper explains that Thuram’s contract is set to expire in June and he had been a ‘priority’ signing for the Spanish side in January.
Borussia asked for €10-12m for him, though, and Atletico decided to wait until the summer when he will be available on a free and ‘one of the bargains of the summer’.
They know that he has ‘more girlfriends’ than them, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham all showing an interest in the Premier League.
Spurs have been linked with him since November, when it was reported they could try and make a move to secure his signature.
Thuram is currently assessing his options but those suitors know that it is ‘essential’ that they qualify for the Champions League if they wish to convince Thuram of the move.
That’s because the forward want to ‘combine his financial and sporting interests’ and the club that is best able to satisfy both of those will be the one that wins the race for his signature.
Thus it seems his future won’t be determined until the summer, but Tottenham certainly have an added incentive to ensure they finish in the top four this year.
