Arsenal to Fight for the Signature of Gladbach Forward Marcus Thuram

Arsenal are reportedly working on a deal to sign Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram in the upcoming transfer window. The Gunners are looking to strengthen their attacking department and have identified the France international as a potential reinforcement.

The North London side have started the 2022-23 season on a high, five points clear at the top of the Premier League table after 14 games. But manager Mikel Arteta will look to strengthen the squad as they are officially in the title race now.

Marcus Thuram in action for France, Arsenal, Marcus Thuram — Image Obtained Via Sports Desk

The Gunners have scored 33 goals in 14 Premier League games this season, but the need for more options in the attacking department is evident, as seen in their early Carling Cup exit to Brighton & Hove Albion when they rested Gabriel Jesus.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes (via Caught Offside), Arsenal have entered the race for Borussia Monchengladbach centre-forward Marcus Thuram. However, the table toppers will face competition from various top European clubs to secure his signature.

Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool and Serie A clubs Inter Milan, Juventus, and AC Milan are all interested in signing the 25-year-old forward. On the other hand, German side Bayern Munich are reportedly in pole position to sign him.

🚨Bayern Munich wants to buy Marcus Thuram in January transfer period and will contact with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
🇫🇷 🟥#FCBayern ⬛ #Borussia

⚠️Newcastle, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan are monitoring the French player's situation. pic.twitter.com/BGcLLvxVmA

— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) December 2, 2022

The Frenchman has six more months left in his current deal and has already confirmed that he won’t be signing any contract extension with Gladbach. That is why the Bundesliga side are willing to sell the player for as little as £8.7m in the winter transfer window.

Player Analysis

Marcus Thuram is the son of French legend Lillian Thuram. He started his professional career at LOSC Lille. He is highly versatile and can play on either wing as per the manager’s formation. He has been observed to be selfish in front of the goal several times but has proved to be highly clinical in terms of scoring.

If the French forward decides to join Arsenal, he will need to be able to create more chances for his teammates, especially in Arteta’s philosophy. But rest assured, Thuram will definitely bring a spark to the footballing style of whichever team he decides to join.

🚨| Arsenal have reportedly joined the race to sign Marcus Thuram from Monchengladbach. The forward is not expected to renew his contract with the German side.

“The Gunners are looking for an attacker who can enter the offensive rotation for manager Arteta.” [@FutboolFichajes] pic.twitter.com/Qtayl97V5a

— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) November 16, 2022

The 25-year-old has been in prime form for Monchengladbach this season. He has 13 goals and 4 assists (via Transfermarkt) to his name so far across all competitions and was selected for the France World Cup squad. He could be a huge addition for Arteta, Julian Nagelsmann or Antonio Conte in their respective pursuits of silverware.

Thuram can play anywhere in the front three and this versatility will help the Gunners to switch between tactics with more fluidity. The French attacker will be a free agent in the summer and it is no surprise that he is being linked with top Premier League clubs.

Verdict

Gabriel Jesus has been a revelation since joining from Manchester City but his goals have dried up in the last few weeks. The Brazilian has five goals in 23 matches across all competitions (stats via Transfermarkt). Moreover, the forward will spend some time on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Arteta desperately needs someone to share the burden so that he can rest key players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli who have been putting in multiple shifts. With Jesus’s ability to play as a wide forward since his City days, the Arsenal manager should be able to accommodate both Marcus Thuram and Gabriel Jesus in the starting eleven.

The Frenchman can negotiate pre-contract deals from January and this is Gladbach’s last chance to not lose him in a free transfer next summer. That could make him available for a bargain fee for Arsenal and other interested clubs in January.

Edu and Arteta will also be hoping to sign Youri Tielemans on a free transfer along with Marcus Thuram, which would make them the best deals of the next transfer window for Arsenal.

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