Borussia Monchengladbach manager Adi Hutter has offered Tottenham Hotspur hope amid their pursuit of Marcus Thuram after commenting on the forward’s fitness, via Kicker.
Thuram has been struggling with knee injuries this summer that have thwarted the 24-year-old’s pre-season preparations. The issue also forced the France international to sit out Die Fohlen’s DFB Pokal clash with Kaiserslautern on Monday, which his side still won 1-0.
Hutter has been waiting for updates on Thuram’s availability ahead of Monchengladbach’s Bundesliga season-opener with champions Bayern Munich on Friday. Julian Nagelsmann’s FCB visit an injury-ravished Borussia-Park outfit looking to repeat May’s 6-0 rout.
Thuram now has a strong chance of featuring against Bayern after pleasing Hutter with his progress in training this week. The four-cap winger particularly shone in the shooting drills. Tottenham will now pay close attention to see if Thuram plays Monchengladbach’s opener.
“Marcus Thuram and Jonas Hofmann have both not trained often with the team,” Hutter said. “But they are on the right track and are again possible options for the Bayern game.”
Tottenham will be monitoring Thuram’s potential inclusion in Borussia Monchengladbach’s curtain-raiser with Bayern Munich, having courted his services this summer. Foot Mercato reported last month that Managing Director Fabio Paratici even made him a priority target.
Spurs face a €30m (£25.5m) valuation to sign the Italian-born attacker, who scored 11 goals and 12 assists last season. But that has not been enough to prevent Paratici from stepping up his pursuit. L’Equipe note the Tottenham chief met Thuram’s agent to discuss a move.
Monchengladbach boss Hutter offers Tottenham hope amid Thuram pursuit
Borussia Monchengladbach manager Hutter’s comments on Thuram’s fitness will offer Tottenham hope amid their pursuit. The Frenchman returning to fitness in time for Friday’s clash with Bayern will give Paratici confidence ahead of any negotiations.
Paratici is unlikely to speak with Monchengladbach to discuss the fee Tottenham would pay for Thuram if he is injured. The Spurs chief would otherwise risk investing a large sum in a player who may not be available for coach Nuno Espirito Santo until deep into the season.
But Thuram featuring, and performing well, against the reigning champions can offer Tottenham one last scouting mission of Monchengladbach’s star. A versatile weapon who would improve Nuno’s options both on the wing and through the centre of his attack.
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