Barcelona are reportedly no longer planning to move for Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram.
The 25-year-old's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with his contract due to expire at the end of June, which has led to a host of transfer talk.
Die Fohlen have allegedly not given up hope of convincing the France international to sign a new deal, but he is widely expected to depart this summer in search of pastures new.
Barcelona have been heavily linked with Thuram, as the Catalan outfit prepare to sign competition for Robert Lewandowski ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Catalan club's financial problems had led to suggestions that they would look at the free agent market, with the club not possessing the funds to make a big-money addition in the final third of the field.
© Reuters
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have now cooled their interest, with Xavi's side not planning to move for Thuram on a free transfer.
The report claims that Bayern Munich are emerging as the favourites for the Frenchman, as the German champions bid to sign a replacement for Lewandowski, who departed for Barcelona last year.
Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United have also been linked with Thuram, who has been in strong form for his Bundesliga side during the 2022-23 campaign.
The forward has netted 14 goals and registered four assists in 25 appearances for Monchengladbach this term, with 11 of those efforts coming in Germany's top flight.
In total, Thuram has scored 42 goals and registered 26 assists in 127 outings for his current side since making the move from Guingamp in the summer of 2019.
© Reuters
Barcelona boss Joan Laporta recently said that his side would be in the market for a new forward this summer, but there would likely have to an exit in the final third of the field.
Ansu Fati continues to be linked with a switch away from Camp Nou, and a recent report claimed that his agent Jorge Mendes was attempting to engineer a departure this summer.
Ferran Torres has also been linked with an exit, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur believed to be admirers of the former Manchester City attacker.
Lewandowski is comfortably Barcelona's leading goalscorer this season with 25, while Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele are joint-second on the list with eight each.
