Liverpool face rival in race for Ligue 1 star

Jacque Talbot

• 29 Mar 2023 16:54 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool have a rival suitor in their race for Khephren Thuram by way of Newcastle.

The Athletic report that the OGC Nice midfielder is now liked by the Magpies, who are looking to fill the No.6 role in the summer window.

Thuram, who recently made his debut for the France national team, is apparently liked by the club’s head of recruitment, Steve Nickson.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool quoted record fee for Florian Wirtz

But the side are one of a number of clubs, with Liverpool’s talks with the 22-year-old exclusively brought to you by FootballTransfers earlier this year.

The Nice star, who has been frequently linked with a move to Ligue 1 reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, is headed for the exit in the summer window, as we reported.

The player is considered one of the best-performing central midfielders in Ligue 1 and will no doubt fetch a high price when the season ends and he eventually leaves.

Other reports have suggested that he could reunite with Christophe Galtier, who he worked under last season when the manager was at Nice.

Galtier left for PSG and now the coach wants to bring him in as his side begins their overhaul ahead of the next season.

Thuram says he's happy with Nice

However, it comes after Thuram threw cold water on the links last week. He said ahead of France’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Netherlands and Republic of Ireland: “I hear, but I don’t concentrate on it,” Thuram said. “I am with Nice. I am very happy where I am.

"I am trying to get bigger with the club. I am trying to grow up with the club. So, yeah, obviously I hear it [the interest] but it’s not the most important. The most important is to do good with the team and be happy where I am.”