Wednesday, 30th January, 2013
Lille have won the race for highly-rated attacking midfielder Florian Thauvin.
The 20-year-old Bastia schemer is heading to join the 2011 Ligue 1 champions for a fee of €3.5M, while Lille will then loan Thauvin back to the Corsican outfit until the end of the season.
For Lille, snapping up Thauvin is a real coup, especially given the calibre of sides also interested in acquiring the forward-thinking midfielder.
Thauvin has been the subject of interest from English Premier League pair Arsenal and Newcastle, two clubs known for their widespread scouting network in French football.
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But it is Lille coach Rudi Garcia who will be presented with the talented Thauvin during the summer.
Bastia are keen to avoid relegation trouble in Ligue 1 this season, hence why the instant loaning back of Thauvin Lille offered was instantly attractive.
"Florian Thauvin has been transferred to Lille for an amount of €3.5M, including bonuses and an immediate loan of the player until the end of the season", the club announced.
Thauvin’s contract at Bastia had been due to run until 2014.
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