Liverpool are most likely to make the move for Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram in this summer’s transfer window, says Neil Jones in his exclusive column for CaughtOffside.
Thuram has had an impressive performance in Ligue 1 and seems to possess the profile of a player the Reds have tended to go for under Jurgen Klopp, with Jones tipping him to be a top priority this summer over some of the other names who’ve been linked.
Liverpool had a disappointing campaign in 2022/23 and it’s obvious that midfield is an area of vulnerability, with Jones highlighting the need for further reinforcements in that department even though the club have already landed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
The journalist believes a physical player in the Thuram mould is what Liverpool need the most, as he downplayed links with the likes of Celta Vigo youngster Gabri Veiga, even if he admitted that his release clause this summer probably means there is some level of interest that could be revisited later.
“The signing of Alexis Mac Allister may be done and dusted, but midfield remains a priority for Liverpool in this summer’s transfer market,” Jones said.
“Mac Allister is a significant signing to bolster Jurgen Klopp’s options, but it’s not a secret that the club perfectly wanted two or even three new signings in that position.
“Obviously Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone have been mentioned. From what I understand, Thuram is the likeliest out of those – the profile of him, his physique, his age, and the club he’s playing at, the kind of money that would be involved – I think he perfectly fits the bill.
“It remains to be seen how willing Nice are to let him leave, and I think the fact that there looks like a number of midfield players likely to move soon in this market means that Nice might just be waiting to see how the dominos fall, and what kind of price they can get for him.
“Still, I think Liverpool and Thuram, even if it hasn’t gained momentum in the last seven days and a fee hasn’t yet been agreed, he’s definitely been identified as someone Liverpool want.”
