Tottenham have been joined by Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United in launching a scouting mission to keep close tabs on Guingamp striker Marcus Thuram, according to Canal+.
The French television station, as relayed by football news outlet Foot Sur 7, claim that the English trio all had scouts in attendance to watch the 21-year-old, son of France legend Lilian Thuram, twice last week, firstly in his side’s shock French League Cup victory over PSG and their Ligue 1 defeat against St Etienne.
Guingamp are struggling in the French top flight, sitting at the bottom of the table and three points off their nearest rivals, but managed to make it to the semi finals of the Coupe De La Ligue, Thuram, who stands at a giant 6’3″ (source: Transfermarkt) and has netted eight times across all competitions this season, scoring an added time penalty to sink league leaders PSG.
Good move for Tottenham?
The Lilywhites definitely need some reinforcements up front – not least because Harry Kane is facing a worrying absence after injury against Manchester United – and so Thuram ticks a lot of boxes.
He is tall, powerful and with plenty of room to develop and grow, not to mention he certainly seems to know where the goal is with his eight strikes this season.
With an ability to play on the left wing as well as a centre forward, he would find game time easier to come by, covering for the likes of Kane as well as Heung-min Son, than Fernando Llorente, a one trick pony in terms of what he brings the side, has acting as second choice.
He looks a bright talent and could become something special and Spurs have had a way with young talents in recent years.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
The amount of interest building over Thuram is not going to help Tottenham’s cause, but they should be able to offer the money he will be looking as well as the promise of first team action.
It all depends on whether he wants to move right away or whether he wants to continue developing at Guingamp and try to rescue them from their relegation fight.
After all, he does have a cup semi final to look forward to, so maybe this is one which needs to wait until summer.
This is Futbol rating: 6.5/10