Sunday, 20th January, 2013
Arsenal and Newcastle are shaping up for a battle over Bastia midfielder Florian Thauvin – but it may have to be postponed until the summer.
The Gunners are reported to have submitted a bid of €5M for Thauvin, in the hope of taking him from Bastia to the Emirates Stadium this month, while Newcastle are now also preparing an offer.
But according to French magazine Maxifoot, Bastia are desperate not to sell Thauvin to either Arsenal or Newcastle, or any other club, during the current transfer window.
Indeed, the Corsican outfit want the 19-year-old to finish the season with them, before bids will be considered.
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Thauvin’s current contract with Bastia runs until 2014 and, while the club would like the youngster to extend, it looks unlikely with interest from some of England’s biggest sides.
The 19-year-old has made 17 appearances in Ligue 1 so far this season, scoring three goals and impressing.
Bastia are keen to stay well clear of relegation trouble in Ligue 1, they currently sit 13th, and losing Thauvin would be a blow they would rather not deal with.
It remains to be seen if Arsenal or Newcastle make a bid that the Corsican outfit simply cannot refuse however.
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