Arsenal have been handed something of a boost when it comes to the future of Marcus Thuram. The frontman largely played a substitutes' brief in the World Cup for France as they were beaten in the final by Argentina.
Thuram was brought off the bench by Didier Deschamps in five of Les Bleus' seven games in Qatar, making an impact in many of them, particularly the final, where he was afforded his longest stint on the pitch, replacing the struggling Olivier Giroud before half-time.
And his performances are sure to have caught the eye of a number of manager across Europe. Thuram will have already caught the eye of bosses, with 13 goals in 17 appearances for Borussia Monchengladbach this season.
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One of those clubs to reportedly hold an interest is Arsenal. And that interest will have been ramped up after Gabriel Jesus was struck down by injury while at the World Cup and could be facing three months on the sidelines.
Mikel Arteta has already said that the Gunners will be "active" in the January transfer window and a striker could now be high up on the list of priorities.
Thuram has won admiring glances from elsewhere in the Premier League, however, with his countryman Allan Saint-Maximin doing his best to try and get the forward to sign for the Magpies. He said: "I have chatted with him. For me, he’s a great player. I’ve known this guy a long time. I’ve been playing football with him when I was very young. I know all his family. He has great parents. He’s an incredible guy."
Thuram is out of contract at the end of the season and could arrive in the Premier League at a bargain price in January as a result. Or, Arsenal and other Premier League sides can talk to him next month and get him to sign a pre-contract agreement for the summer ahead of a free transfer.
Saint-Maximin's manager Eddie Howe laughed off reports of a move, which will come as a boost to Arsenal if they are interested. Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day game with Leicester, Howe said: "Well done Maxi! He's a top player but no more than that. He was one of the ones I watched in the World Cup but no more than that."
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