Chelsea in talks for Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram for January transfer – reports

Chelsea could be set for another transfer market move this January after reportedly opening talks with Borussia Monchengladbach for Marcus Thuram.

The 25-year-old French striker travelled to the 2022 Qatar World Cup as his country went to the final before losing to Argentina on a penalty shootout after a frenetic 3-3 draw.

Thuram, the son of former France international Lilian Thuram, has a contract with his current Bundesliga side that runs until the end of the season, and previous stories have suggested the German team would be willing to let him go for around £12 million in the winter transfer window to avoid losing him for nothing.

Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market as owner Todd Boehly looks to back new manager Graham Potter in his first transfer window as manager at Stamford Bridge. A deal has already been agreed for Benoit Badiashile of Monaco, talks continue for Benfica’s World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, and have signed David Datro Fofana from Molde and Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama.

It is also reported that Chelsea are considering a move to hijack a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk forward Mykhaylo Mudryk, with the Ukrainian side holding out for around £85m after two bids from Arsenal were not accepted.

Chelsea have been in the market for a striker since the departure of Timo Werner, who returned to his former club RB Leipzig after an unsuccessful stint in the Premier League, and Kai Havertz has been the first-choice attacker for Potter, which is not his usual role. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was signed by his former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel, but he was sacked by Boehly, and the Gabonese striker is seen as a back-up given he is 33 years old.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Chelsea are in talks for a potential deal in January, but the French forward will consider all options and may delay any move until the summer.

Thuram joined ‘Gladbach in 2019 from French side Guingamp, and has 41 goals in 119 appearances for the German side. He is on course for his best return of any season, just one goal behind his career best of 14.