Newcastle United flop Florian Thauvin is said to be desperate for the club to sign Tottenham winger Andros Townsend so he can make his escape and head back to France, the Daily Star reports.
The French forward has been told that he will be allowed to rejoin former club Marseille on loan until the end of the season should the England international link up with the Magpies.
Talks between the two clubs are said to be ongoing over a deal that would see Townsend link up with Newcastle until the end of the season, before completing a permanent switch over the summer should the club avoid the drop.
Newcastle won’t allow Thauvin to leave unless a replacement is found, but club chiefs are struggling to see a way for the 22-year-old to resurrect his career at St James’ Park.
Thauvin hasn’t started a game since the Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday back in September, and has made just a handful of appearances from the bench since.
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