- 8 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool set for talks with Thuram but Newcastle and PSG also want Nice star
Jacque Talbot
- Updated: 30 May 2023 19:59 BST
- 4 min read
Exclusive
Khrephen Thuram is set to undergo initial discussions with Liverpool this week but Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the midfielder, sources have told us.
FootballTranfers revealed on January 6 that Thuram had talks with Liverpool. We understand that Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of the Frenchman, who has enjoyed a superb season in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice.
Newcastle had also spoken to the player’s side last summer; their interest has not dwindled, and preliminary talks are underway.
PSG do like Thuram but the issue they face is that he would be a bit more expensive than their offer for Manuel Ugarte. The club would rather pay Nice in instalments but the club are looking for the full fee. Thuram also isn’t necessarily a priority for the French champions.
We are told that Thuram will leave during this summer window and the asking price is dependent on the level of interest. Clubs have started to speak to Thuram’s camp but then proposals will have to be tabled.
Exc: Told Atalanta will refuse to sell reported Liverpool target Teun Koopmeiners this window. Aiming for Europa and have already sold off Ruslan Malinovskyi to Marseille. Hear been talks between Reds and Khephren Thuram of Nice - and Kouadio Kone of Borussia Monchengladbach tho.
— Jacque Talbot (@jac_talbot) January 9, 2023
It’s been claimed in the French media that an asking price of €60million would need to be met. It’s our understanding that the price will vary on a number of factors, but it will ultimately be down to which club can sell their project the best.
Talks with Liverpool give an indication the club likes the midfielder, but the club have their eye on a number of options to fulfill that role.
Thuram brothers linked with moves away
Thuram is the brother of forward Marcus - who is also linked with a move to the Premier League next summer - and the son of France's record cap-holder Lilian.
Both sons have been called up to the most recent France squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against the Netherlands and Ireland, and Khephren in particular has been singled out for praise after his recent form.
"Khephren's fantastic," said his head coach at Nice, former PSG and Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard. "He's very hardworking, very attentive. On rest days he's at the training centre. He recovers quickly for back-to-back matches and completes high-intensity training.
“He listens and applies himself. He has room for improvement and he's in demand. He simply eats up video analysis, and additional sessions. He also advises others, because he takes on a leadership role. He's also discovering himself as a person.
