Newcastle United's new signing Florian Thauvin played down the significance of his reported £12 million ($18.8 million, 16.6 million euros) price-tag on Friday following his move from Marseille.

The 22-year-old winger signed for Newcastle on a five-year contract on Wednesday and could make his debut for Steve McClaren's side in Saturday's Premier League trip to Manchester United.

"It's not a problem for me to have such a high price-tag. I'm a footballer and that's my passion and my job," Thauvin told a press conference.

"It's always been my dream to be a footballer in the Premier League, and I'm happy to be here and do that. The Premier League is well known for being a very physical league. It's a bit different to France.

"It's not something that concerns me, although maybe I'll have to take a bit of time to get used to it. Once I do, I'll be fine."

Thauvin, who spent two years at Marseille, also revealed that he had once been the subject of an approach from Arsenal.

"Two or three seasons ago, Arsene Wenger perhaps made an approach with Arsenal, but apart from Arsenal, Newcastle are the only other club who have made an approach for me in the past," he said.