Marseille winger Florian Thauvin was strangled in a violent assault after thieves targeted his car and watch on Monday night.
According to French newspaper La Provence, two men on motorbikes deliberately crashed into the 23-year-old's vehicle to force the forward, who is on a season-long loan from Newcastle, to step out on to the road.
Thauvin was then attacked and strangled from behind by one of the men, as they attempted to take his watch – believed to be worth in the region of £22,000 – before he was able to struggle free and flee the scene.