Sources: Newcastle United pull plug on Marcus Thuram deal after contact made
Newcastle have pulled the plug on their pursuit of Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram in January, sources have told Football Insider.
The north-east giants had registered their interest in the 25-year-old with his contract expiring next summer.
The German club are considering selling Thuram this month rather than allowing him to run down his contract and leave on a free transfer next summer.
But Football Insider has been told that Newcastle will not be pursuing the France international this month with Eddie Howe prioritising other positions.
We revealed last Friday (30 December) that Leicester's James Maddison and Chelsea's Christian Pulisic are among the top targets for Newcastle this month.
Football Insider updated on Sunday (1 January) to reveal that the door is opening for Newcastle to lure Pulisic from Stamford Bridge this month - where he is valued at £40million.
A number of Premier League sides have been linked with a deal for Thuram this month, with the forward reportedly available for as little as £6million due to his contract situation.
He has scored 13 goals in 17 club games for Monchengladbach this season, as well as contributing four assists.
The nine-cap France international made five appearances at the World Cup in Qatar - including a 79-minute outing in the final.
Newcastle have been without strikers Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak in recent weeks but remain third in the Premier League table.
The Magpies face league leaders Arsenal on Tuesday night (3 January).