Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to sign OFC Nice’s €40 million-rated midfielder Khephren Thuram ahead of next summer.
According to to Tutto Juve, Liverpool are the leading contenders to sign Khephren Thuram. OGC Nice were open to a sale of the €40 million-rated midfielder, but he did not move out of the French club, as the situation could change next summer.
Many clubs monitored Khephren Thuram during the summer window, with some even making concerted efforts to broker a deal. OGC Nice valued him as one of their key stars and wanted to make sure he fetched the right price.
Liverpool were one of the teams interested, and they still maintain admiration for the player. Jurgen Klopp wanted different options in the window to bolster his midfield and monitored Thuram and compatriot Manu Kone, among other options.
Thuram, for his part, is not a defensive midfielder, although he has played considerably in that role earlier. His evolution as a central player will take precedence. He did play a third of his Ligue 1 games last season in a defensive role, but that is not his speciality.
Liverpool spent considerable time chasing Thuram but eventually went in a different direction. In the next phase, they unsuccessfully pursued Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia but eventually signed Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, who arrived on deadline day.
However, Klopp remains intent on signing another midfielder next summer as he continues his squad rebuild. Thuram remains a firm option for them if they re-enter the market for the 22-year-old, who also has the interest of Juventus and Newcastle United, as per the report.
Real Madrid were also in the hunt for the midfielder and could look at another opportunity later. However, as things stand, the Spanish giants have one of the most formidable midfields in the continent, and the task of breaking into this team may appear daunting for Thuram.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, are in the process of revamping their midfield options in the coming windows. Having signed Sandro Tonali, Eddie Howe showed he’s ready to take a different direction, and maybe Thuram features as a serious candidate.
OGC Nice were open to a sale in the summer and will consider offers after the current season ends for the right price. The report states the Ligue 1 giants would demand €40 million for the midfielder, which seems similar to his earlier asking price.
The €40 million-rated midfielder would prove a solid signing for the Reds, who are currently leading the race for him. He might have kept informed on the situation, but Klopp will also target other stars as options in Thuram’s place like the previous window.
Liverpool, particularly, do not need the €40 million-rated midfielder in their current system. However, if the price drops even further, they will certainly think about investing, considering Thuram has a bright future ahead. However, any move will also depend on the promises the Reds make about giving him good importance in the squad, something their rivals could do instead.
