£15m Newcastle flop could be set for incredible AC Milan move after 'flirting' with Paolo Maldini

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Florian Thauvin of Newcastle United arrvies prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park on December 26, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Florian Thauvin joined Newcastle in 2015, signing a five-year deal for a reported fee of £15 million.

But the winger failed to live up to his lofty price tag and was criticised by Magpies’ legend Alan Shearer for turning up to a game in a tuxedo.

The Frenchman labelled the criticism ‘unfair’.

A former Bastia attacker, Thauvin promptly returned to Marseille in 2016, completing two seasons on loan before re-joining the cub permanently.

The 27-year-old winger – who is out of contract with OM next summer – has been linked with a move to Italy.

Thauvin recently responded to AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini, who admitted to tracking the player.

“These are the sort of things that make me happy, when a football legend speaks well of you,” Thauvin said. “It touched me a lot, it really pleased me and I thank him for that.”