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Florian Thauvin could return to Marseille on loan just five months after moving to Newcastle United , though the deal is not yet believed to be imminent, The Chronicle understands.

Media reports in France on Thursday morning claimed that the 22-year-old winger could be set to join the Ligue 1 club within 24 hours.

Though discussions are believed to be ongoing, The Chronicle understands that no firm agreement has yet been reached for the £13million summer signing to head back to the Stade Velodrome for the remainder of the season just yet.

Having already represented both Marseille and Newcastle this season - he turned out twice for the French side before moving to Tyneside - Thauvin’s only option to escape from his sorry Magpies spell is to return to his former side temporarily due to FIFA regulations.

At the moment, there is not believed to be a purchase option in the current framework of the potential deal.

The former France Under-21 international only signed for Newcastle back in August, with Remy Cabella heading the other way, but it appears as though Thauvin could soon follow suit and move back across The Channel.

It is understood that the former Bastia and Lille winger himself is particularly keen on a return to his home nation, with Thauvin frustrated at what he perceives to be a lack of first-team opportunities at St James’ Park this season.

He has started just three Premier League matches for Steve McClaren – and a high percentage of his substitute appearances have been for less than 10 minutes.

What’s more, the Frenchman was booed by a section of United’s travelling support – who also chanted “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” – at Vicarage Road earlier this month after stayed down following a challenge, something which McClaren admitted had knocked Thauvin’s “confidence”.

Newcastle are understood to be interested in signing Andros Townsend from Tottenham Hotspur and, though the pricetag had appeared a stumbling block in negotiations, if Thauvin does leave then the Magpies may return for the England international winger.

Thauvin also sat out Newcastle’s 3-3 draw at home to Manchester United on Tuesday night after McClaren said that the Frenchman was “struggling” with a knock.