Where would Former Newcastle winger Florian Thauvin fit in at Milan?

Emmet Gates

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Former Newcastle winger Florian Thauvin has reportedly set his heart on a move to Italian giants Milan in the summer.

Thauvin is currently playing at French side Marseille, but his contract with the southern French side expires at the end of the current season.

According to multiple reports in Italy and France, Thauvin looks set to reject a contract extention with Marseille, in order to seal a free transfer to Milan.

It’s reported that Milan have been in talks with Thauvin’s representatives over a move since last October, and it seems his heart is set on a move to Serie A.

So where would the Frenchman fit in at Milan?

Would Thauvin work at Milan?

Thauvin is equally adept on both flanks for Marseille, but usually he occupies a position on the right-hand side.

This has been a problem position for the Rossoneri this term.

Milan have struggled in their quest to find someone to nail down a permanent place on the right-hand side of their 4-2-3-1 system.

Samu Castillejo has struggled in the role. Rafael Leao has played there, but he isn’t a natural winger, and tends to be shunted from right to left depending on who is available for coach Stefano Pioli.

Alexis Saelemaekers has been a regular in the position, but following a bright first-half of the season, the Belgian winger has lost most of his momentum, and form, due to injuries and inconsistency.

Thauvin would be an upgrade on Saelemaekers and Castillejo, with the latter perhaps being sold at the end of the season.

With Milan almost certainly assured of Champions League football for next season, they will need a jump up in quality in several areas of the starting XI.

And Thauvin would be that. Furthermore, his ability to play on either flank would be an added bonus for Pioli next season.

Should the deal get over the line, it would be a shrewd acquisition by the Serie A side.