Liverpool handed MAJOR transfer boost in race to sign Thuram

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 3 Jul 2023 08:11 BST
• 4 min read

Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk has inadvertently given Liverpool a helping hand in their attempts to sign Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram.

Thuram, 22, remains on Jurgen Klopp’s radar despite the summer acquisitions of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig.

In June, FootballTransfers exclusively reported that Liverpool had agreed personal terms with Thuram, while Nice would ideally like a bidding war for the midfielder in order to bump up their potential windfall.

READ: Liverpool face Thuram delay as Nice aim for bidding war

However, out of respect for the player and for France, any possible deal for the 22-year-old was unable to be completed until after his participation at the U21 European Championships.

Hammer blow for France

Les Blues entered the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, but they were beaten 3-1 by a Mudryk-led Ukraine at the quarter-final stage and have now exited the competition.

READ: Khephren Thuram and Liverpool agree terms

After Rayan Cherki opened the scoring for France in the 19th minute after a lovely Les Blues move, Mudryk inspired a comeback for underdogs Ukraine.

The Chelsea man missed the entire group stages through injury, but won a penalty in the 32nd minute - which was converted by Heorhii Sudakov - before delivering an inch-perfect lofted assist for Sudakov just 12 minutes later to give Ukraine a 2-1 lead before half-time. Artem Bondarenko sealed victory with just four minutes left to play after Sepe Elye Wahi’s 82nd minute goal was ruled out by VAR.

France’s shock exit at the U21 Euros means that Thuram is no longer occupied by international duty and Liverpool are now able to continue negotiations for his signature. The Reds have focused their attention on Szoboszlai in recent weeks, but the Hungary international has now officially joined the club, meaning a full-blooded pursuit for Thuram can now commence.

Ukraine will face Spain in the semi-finals of the U21 European Championships, while England play Israel in the other last four match-up. The Young Lions squad includes two current Liverpool players: Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones.