Liverpool have reportedly held talks over a potential transfer deal for rising French midfield star Khephren Thuram from Nice this month.
According to Football Transfers journalist Jacques Talbot, Liverpool have identified Ligue 1 defensive midfielder Khephren Thuram as a potential target for January and have held “conversations” with French outfit OGC Nice over a possible move.
Jurgen Klopp is currently under pressure following a terrible start to Liverpool’s 2022/23 season, which saw the club not only lose in the Carabao Cup to Manchester City but also fall behind in the top-four race in the Premier League.
The Reds currently sit sixth in the league table ahead of their matchup with 28 points, seven points adrift of fourth place. The January transfer window provides a perfect opportunity to bolster the weaker areas of the squad and boost their quest to climb up the ladder.
As such, they have done extremely well to pip rivals Manchester United to the signing of versatile striker Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven to reinforce the forward department, which has been hampered by the injuries to Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz.
Another obvious need is in the midfield area. Underwhelming performances from the current options available at Klopp’s disposal have seen the Reds linked with a whole host of midfielders over recent weeks as they look to rebuild that department of their squad in 2023.
With Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner out of contract at the end of the season, and loanee Arthur Melo likely to be returned to Juventus, it’s no secret that the Reds are in the market for potentially multiple midfield signings in the near future.
It was reported that the Merseyside club were interested in signing Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners earlier this month. However, they will now have to realign their radars elsewhere as La Dea will refuse to sanction the winter sale for the Netherlands international.
As a result, Khephren Thuram is said to be on a list alongside the likes of Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Kouadio Kone as possible targets under consideration by the Liverpool hierarchy.
A Monaco youth product, the midfielder joined Nice during the 2019 summer transfer window. Since then, the 21-year-old has gone on to make 116 appearances for the French outfit in all competitions, netting six goals and providing seven assists.
The midfielder is now on Liverpool’s radar following an amazing start to the season that has seen him appear in every Ligue 1 game thus far. Along with the Reds, Newcastle United, and Paris, Saint-Germain have also been connected to Thuram, who is the son of France’s legendary defender Lilian Thuram.
While Thuram is far from the finished product, he is considered to be a big talent and could fit that bill for Klopp and co. thanks to his well-rounded midfield attributes, including physical traits, elegant ball-playing skills, and versatility, having played as a holding midfielder for Nice this season with some appearances as a box-to-box player.
The France Under-21 international is under contract until 2025, so Nice aren’t in any rush to sell their prized asset this winter if interested clubs don’t meet their asking price, which is unknown as of yet.
