Manchester United have held discussions with the representatives of Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram, according to reports in the UK.

The Frenchman’s current deal expires at the end of the season, and he can sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club in a matter of days.

Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Newcastle have also been in contact with Thuram’s agent, with the Magpies thought to have made the most effort so far to secure the striker’s signature.

There is no guarantee, though, that the 25-year-old will end up moving to the Premier League, with Serie A side Inter Milan also pushing hard to snap up the player.

United boss Erik ten Hag has expressed a need to bring in a new striker during the January transfer window so whether the Red Devils could steal a march on their rivals by making an offer for Thuram next month, we shall have to wait and see.

The France international has been in outstanding form this season, having scored 13 times in all competitions. His form even prompted an opponent’s sporting director, Wolfsburg’s Marcel Schafer, to hail him as a “world-class striker” after he scored both goals for Gladbach in a 2-2 draw back in October.