Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on OGC Nice midfield prodigy Khephren Thuram even though they are close to signing Casemiro.
According to Media Foot, Manchester United are tracking the progress of OGC Nice and France Under-21 midfielder Khephren Thuram as they seek reinforcements to their midfield unit.
Thuram joined Nice in 2019 after progressing through the youth ranks at AS Monaco. The 21-year-old has pretty much been a regular fixture in the centre of the park for the club ever since, racking up 93 appearances in which he has six goals and three assists. He is currently part of the French Under-21 national team, for whom he has featured 11 times and scored twice.
A defensive midfielder by trade, Thuram has shown his capabilities of being able to operate as a No. 6 and a No. 8. The Frenchman possesses strong defensive traits in his game while being a good dribbler, which enables him to carry the ball forward from the centre of the park.
Thuram’s progress during his time at Nice has not gone unnoticed, with Newcastle United having been interested in him in the recent past. Now, he is on the radars of clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes in France, while Manchester United are also keeping tabs on the 21-year-old French prospect.
Manchester United’s problems in the defensive midfield region are well-established. They have not had a quality No. 6 in their ranks for a while now and have tried shoehorning Fred and Scott McTominay into the roles, which has proven to be a major disaster. After the mauling at the hands of Brentford last week, the Red Devils have upped the ante in their search for a new defensive midfielder.
A move for Real Madrid mainstay Casemiro is close to completion, which will come as a huge boost for the club. However, they are seemingly keen on adding another midfielder with an eye on the future, leading to the interest in Thuram. The 21-year-old can learn from Casemiro at Old Trafford and eventually go on to replace the Brazilian in a couple of years as United’s No. 6 should they both arrive this summer.
Thuram is contracted with Nice until the summer of 2025 but could be available for around €20 million as per the report. Whether Manchester United are ready to act on their interest in the Frenchman or are satisfied with the impending acquisition of Casemiro remains to be seen.