Jonas Hofmann (from left), Lars Stindl, Joe Scally, Marcus Thuram and Florian Neuhaus celebrate a goal in the DFB Cup against Oberachern. Image: www.imago-images.de / Langer
Marcus Thuram is currently playing the season of his life at Gladbach: After just 15 games, the 25-year-old has already scored ten goals and thus set his personal season record. In the top scorer ranking, he is in second place, only Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku has scored more often.
The boost in performance comes at the best time for Thuram: his contract expires in the summer. Given his recent scoring record – as well as the prospect of a free transfer – top clubs are lining up for him.
At the World Cup in Qatar, Thuram and his French only failed in the final.Image: www.imago-images.de / PanoramiC
For some time he has been considered a candidate for the storm center at Bayern, which was probably not convinced by the experiment with a system without a real nine. Meanwhile, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Paris St. Germain are also said to be trying to sign the soon-to-be free Frenchman.
As the “picture” reported, a fifth club wants to get involved in Thuram poker soon, but without getting involved in a bet.
Gladbach wants at least ten million euros
Accordingly, Chelsea FC plans to sign Thuram in the winter. To do this, the Londoners would have to convince Borussia to give up their striker in the middle of the season – which would be costly. In return, Chelsea would avoid the danger of being outdone by the competition.
Apparently Gladbach would even be willing to negotiate a winter transfer. When Bayern first expressed interest, it was said that the top scorer could change for a fee of around ten million euros. Due to the new consortium of owners, Chelsea should even be able to afford this sum.
However, Gladbach does not want to go into the second half of the season without a centre-forward. Therefore, the “foals” are said to have already looked around for a Thuram successor. According to “Bild”, Borussia has been in contact with 20-year-old Croatian Dion Beljo since last summer.
Dion Beljo (right) has scored eight goals in 16 games in the Croatian league so far.Image: www.imago-images.de / Pixsell
Another candidate for the storm center is said to be 25-year-old Pole Dawid Kownacki from Fortuna Düsseldorf. His contract expires in the summer, the fortunes would probably be happy to be able to collect a fee.
The French compete for places in the national team in the Bundesliga
So Gladbach is prepared for an immediate departure from Thuram. The bigger problem for Chelsea FC is likely to be convincing the striker himself: Thuram knows, of course, that there are still numerous high-value offers from various top clubs waiting for him until the summer. In addition, he could receive a high signing fee if he signs with a club on a free transfer.
According to “Bild”, he also has a personal interest in ending the season in the Bundesliga: His compatriot Christopher Nkunku (Germany’s Footballer of the Year 2022) is currently ahead of Thuram both in the scorer rankings and in the French national team.
Christopher Nkunku was the Bundesliga’s outstanding star in 2021/22.Image: www.imago-images.de / Jan Huebner
Nkunku missed the World Cup due to a torn ligament. Instead of Thuram, the Frankfurt Randal Kolo Muani was recommended in Qatar. In the fight for working times in the Équipe Tricolore, it could therefore do Thuram harm to avoid this competition by changing over the winter.
In addition, the Nkunku injury is also the perfect opportunity for the Gladbacher to climb to first place in the top scorer rankings.
After an unusually long winter break due to the World Cup in Qatar, FC Bayern will start preparing for the second half of the season on Tuesday. And it has a few crackers ready right from the start: In the Bundesliga, Munich will start against pursuer RB Leipzig on January 20th and in February Paris Saint-Germain will be waiting in the Champions League round of 16.
