Rafa Benitez has explained the reasoning behind winger Florian Thauvin’s departure on loan to Marseille. The 23 year old was set for a move to Lazio before the French side came in with a last minute bid for the player.
It is believed that the Magpies have ensured that a purchase clause has been added into the loan which will ensure the Frenchman leaves permanently next summer for an agreed fee, and Benitez explained to the Evening Chronicle that although he would have liked to keep Thauvin, the player was already set on a move back to Marseille:
“We had an advantage because we know Florian is a good player, we know about his quality, but I knew what he was thinking. He was happy at Marseille last year and we had to do it. We want the best players, but we have to be convinced and they have to be convinced it is the best for everyone. He was training well for us but he wanted to go there. Florian and I were talking for a while.”
The winger was only bought from Marseille for a fee believed to be around £13million last summer but after spending an unhappy six months on Tyneside, he returned on loan to the Ligue One side for the second half of last season. After rejoining on loan for a second time, he will now make his move permanent next June.
