Florian Thauvin’s move to Newcastle has moved a step closer after the France Under-21 winger arrived on Tyneside on Tuesday evening.

The 22-year-old is set for a medical on Wednesday in readiness a £12m move for Marseille, with Rémy Cabella likely to move the other way as part of the deal. Cabella, who only moved to Newcastle last summer on a six-year deal, is already in Marseille and was reported to have passed his medical before a season-long loan with a view to permanent transfer.

Thauvin has been reluctant to leave the Stade Vélodrome but has apparently been unsettled by the coach Marcelo Bielsa’s departure.