Newcastle United and Aston Villa have reportedly expressed interest in signing Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram amid links with Arsenal.

According to FC Inter News, both clubs have already spoken to the French striker’s agent about a potential move, but Thuram is holding out for a more financially attractive offer from England before deciding his future.

While Inter Milan has made a “concrete proposal” to Thuram, offering €5m net for the next five years, they understand that this offer could easily be surpassed by his other suitors, particularly foreign clubs.

Bayern Munich, one of the clubs said to be interested in signing Thuram, have cooled their interest, however, as they seek to sign Eric Choupo-Moting to a new deal and look at a different type of forward in the summer.

Arsenal and Chelsea are also said to be in the running to sign the striker, who will become a free agent in the summer.

If Arsenal were to sign Thuram, it would cast doubt over the future of striker Folarin Balogun, who is currently on loan at Reims and is the top scorer in Ligue 1.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are said to be considering Thuram as a potential replacement for Joao Felix, who recently joined the Blues on loan.

Thuram’s contract with Borussia Monchengladbach is set to end this summer, and the German club  set a price tag of just €10m for the striker in January with no takers.

With a number of clubs interested in the French striker, the race for his signature is heating up, and it remains to be seen where he will end up next season. It does, however, seem unlikely that will be at Arsenal.