Arsenal are reportedly one of a number of clubs to have registered their interest in Borussia Monchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram.
The France international has been in prolific form for Die Fohlen during the first half of the 2022-23 campaign with 13 goals and four assists in 17 games in all competitions.
Thuram has hit 10 goals in 15 Bundesliga outings alongside three strikes in the DFB-Pokal, taking his total for Monchengladbach to 41 strikes and 26 assists in 119 matches.
The 25-year-old has also been named as the 26th and final member of France's World Cup squad, despite only having four previous international appearances to his name.
However, Thuram's long-term future is shrouded in uncertainty, as the former Sochaux and Guingamp attacker has entered the final year of his contract with Monchengladbach.
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Bayern Munich are said to be keeping a close eye on Thuram's situation, with the Bundesliga champions eyeing the striker as an ideal alternative to Harry Kane.
Liverpool have also been linked with a cut-price move for the Frenchman, who will be free to enter pre-contract talks with foreign clubs in January if he does not sign a new deal with Monchengladbach.
Now, Gazzetta dello Sport claims that the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Inter Milan are also attentive to Thuram's contract situation as they seek to improve their attacking departments.
Monchengladbach could entertain offers for Thuram in January if it becomes clear that the 25-year-old is not willing to sign a new deal, but Inter are apparently at the head of the queue.
The report adds that Nerazzurri CEO Giuseppe Marotta is poised to initiate contact with Monchengladbach in the coming weeks as they seek to tie Thuram down to pre-contract terms.
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Inter currently possess Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez, Joaquin Correa and Edin Dzeko as their senior attacking options, with the former expected to extend his loan from Chelsea until 2024.
However, in Martinez's services is rife despite his recent contract extension, while Thuram could also come in to replace Dzeko, who is also out of contract at the end of the season.
The Bosnia & Herzegovina international will turn 37 in March, but he has still struck six goals in 15 Serie A games this term and has announced his desire to sign a new deal.
"Here I am happy. I really want to continue playing at inter. We will see what happens," Dzeko told Sky Italia after the weekend's win over Atalanta BC.
Interested parties are expected to keep one eye on Thuram during the World Cup, as France defend their title against Denmark, Australia and Tunisia in Group D.
Ben Knapton
