Newcastle's £12m flop set to stay away from St James's Park next season

The winger was loaned back to his former club in January after failing to make an impression at Newcastle United.

And Thauvin, signed for £12million last summer, is not wanted back at St James's Park for the club's Championship campaign.

Marseille cannot afford to make the 23-year-old's return permanent.

But talks have already taken place over a second loan at the Stade Velodrome for Thauvin, who is one of United's highest earners.

And, according to the La Provence newspaper, Thauvin and his representatives are optimistic a deal can be done.

Thauvin scored for Marseille in yesterday's 4-2 Couple de France final defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade de France.