French giants line up Chelsea youngster 'by end of the week' after Newcastle snub

MARSEILLE hope to wrap up a loan deal for Chelsea youngster Bertrand Traore by the end of the week, according to reports.

 

Traore could be sent on loan to Marseille this month

 

The Ligue 1 giants have zoned in on Traore after refusing to buy back Newcastle flop Florian Thauvin.

Marseille sold Thauvin, 22, to Newcastle just last summer in a £12million deal.

But he has endured a mixed season at St James' Park, leading to reports he could be sold.

 

Marseille are said to be interested in brining their once influential midfielder back to the Stade Velodrome - but French outlet le10sport claim they won't repay Newcastle the full transfer fee agreed in the summer.

And, with Newcastle determined to get as much as they can for the Frenchman before February's transfer deadline, Marseille are looking for midfield alternatives.

 

It is claimed that their search has landed at Chelsea's door, with Traore all set to agree a loan deal away from Stamford Bridge by Monday.

"Chelsea are not against a loan and the idea is to make a decision by the end of the week," a source close to the player told le10sport.

"The negotiations between representatives of Bertrand and (Marseille president) Vincent Labrune are real."

 

Traore, 20, has made just four appearances for the Blues this season and has twice been sent on loan to Dutch side Vitesse.

The Burkina Faso midfielder earned his Chelsea debut this season as a second-half substitute in their 4-0 Champions League group stage win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.