Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing 21-year-old OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, a target for Newcastle United.
According to a report from Daily Mail, 21-year-old French midfielder Khephren Thuram is on the radar of multiple Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Newcastle United.
Chelsea will need to find a quality replacement for Jorginho and N’Golo Kante at the end of the season. Both players will be free agents in the summer, and the Blues have not managed to agree contract extensions with them. Recent reports have claimed that Jorginho might leave Chelsea soon amid interest from Newcastle United.
Khephren Thuram has done well in Ligue 1, and he could prove to be a quality, long-term acquisition for Chelsea. The 21-year-old French midfielder has the potential to develop into a top-class midfielder, and Graham Potter could help him develop further. Potter helped develop players like Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The opportunity to join a top club like Chelsea is likely to be an attractive proposition for the 21-year-old. And it remains to be seen whether the Blues can agree on a fee with Nice. But will have to face competition from Newcastle United, who are desperate to improve their midfield department as well.
Following the injury to Jonjo Shelvey, Newcastle United are looking to bring in a central midfielder, and the 21-year-old has been scouted for a while now. Apparently, the Newcastle scouts have given the club a glowing recommendation of Thuram, and Eddie Howe is considering a move for him.
Thuram would add defensive depth, composure, flair and press resistance to the midfield units at Chelsea and Newcastle if they manage to secure his services. A transfer from Nice to Chelsea would be a major step up in the 21-year-old’s career and the Blues certainly have the finances to secure his services as well.
Chelsea are a team capable of challenging for major trophies already, as compared to Newcastle, who have a long-term project. That could give Thuram the motivation to join the Blues. Also, he is likely to get ample game time at both clubs if he manages to adapt to the Premier League quickly. Therefore, the Magpies do not have any added advantage in the chase.
