Spurs transfer talk: 'Phenomenal' £26m striker absent from cup matchday squad

Spurs have reportedly been eyeing Marcus Thuram in recent weeks.

Foot Mercato reported in July that Tottenham saw the Borussia Monchengladbach striker as a priority signing.

Fabio Paratici has hit the ground running at Spurs, bringing in Bryan Gil, Pierluigi Gollini and Cristian Romero.

However, Tottenham could really do with bringing in a new striker as cover and competition for Harry Kane.

Spurs have been heavily linked with Lautaro Martinez in recent days but Paratici is known for negotiating with multiple targets for one position.

So the Thuram lead could still be open, and on Monday, he wasn’t in Gladbach’s squad for their first competitive game of the season.

Die erste #FohlenElf der neuen Saison! 🐎💚#DFBPokal #FCKBMG pic.twitter.com/MGbVcvLvgm
— Borussia (@borussia) August 9, 2021

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They faced Kaiserslautern in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, winning 1-0 thanks to Lars Stindl’s 11th-minute effort.

Thuram wasn’t the only Gladbach ace not in action – Breel Embolo and Jonas Hoffman were also not in the squad.

Thuram, whose knee was reportedly strapped in the Groningen friendly, may have just been rested ahead of Gladbach’s Bundesliga opener this weekend.

They have the hardest possible start to the season, taking on Bayern Munich – though at least they’re at home.

But when big players linked with moves are left out of pre-season and early-season matchday squads, there could sometimes be more to it.

Spurs eyeing one of Europe’s most talented young strikers?

Thuram reportedly has a €30million (£26million) release clause in his contract.

The son of France legend Lilian Thuram, he has carved out an impressive career of his own and looks set for a bright future.

Thuram started his career at Sochaux and earned himself a move to Gladbach in 2019.

He has made 79 appearances for the German club, with 25 goals and 21 assists under his belt.

Thuram’s efforts helped him make the France squad for Euro 2020.

Dennis Zakaria praised Thuram in 2019 after he scored a late winner against Roma in the Europa League 18 months ago.

“It was so important that Marcus scored that goal today,” said Zakaria, via Bulinews.

“He is a great guy, a little crazy maybe, but what he brings to the pitch is phenomenal.”