RC Lens’ Florian Thauvin was at Newcastle United between 2015 and 2017.

So Foot have a detailed interview with the forward in their magazine this week. He reviewed his career, including his spell at Newcastle United.

Thauvin spent two years at Marseille and left them for Newcastle United in August 2015. As a part of the deal, the Magpies allowed Rémy Cabella to move in the opposite direction on loan with an option to buy.

Newcastle United reportedly invested around £15m to secure Thauvin’s services. The money raised from his sale was crucial for the Ligue 1 side at that time.

Vincent Labrune was president of the French club at the time, and Thuavin has explained the official wanted him to make a sacrifice to help Marseille.

“Labrune basically said: ‘If we don’t sell you, OM will collapse, sacrifice yourself, and leave’,” he said.

The Frenchman says the Premier League side were the only club to make a serious offer to buy him.

“Well, at that point, the only offer with a sum that could help the club was Newcastle’s. So, there you have it, and it was a mistake. It’s easy to say that in hindsight, but that’s...