'I'd sign him immediately' - Italy legend hails Liverpool and Man Utd target

Tom Weber

Updated: 19 Oct 2023 10:06 BST
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool — © ProShots

Italy legend Fabio Cannavaro has hailed sought-after midfielder Khephren Thuram and urged clubs to sign him immediately.

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The French midfielder has emerged as one of Ligue 1's biggest stars in recent seasons. Liverpool have been very keen on him since the start of the year and there are suggestions that the Reds could go back in for him again in the future despite signing four midfielders in the summer.

Manchester United, too, have been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, whose exploits for OGC Nice won't have gone unnoticed with club owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is set to invest in the Red Devils. Man Utd also considered signing his versatile brother Marcus over the summer but opted to target a more traditional number nine in Rasmus Hojlund instead.

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In recent weeks, it has been Juventus' turn to be linked with the son of their former defender due to the Paul Pogba doping scandal. Now, Fabio Cannavaro, who marshalled the Bianconeri's defence alongside father Lillian, has spoken about the talented midfielder.

What did Cannavaro say?

The 2006 World Cup winner hailed the Nice star and urged clubs - particularly Italian sides- to sign him immediately. "I have always followed Lilian's children," the 50-year-old told Calciomercato, "I was sure they would become footballers."

Cannavaro then compared the elder brother Marcus, who now plays for Inter, to a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic. "Marcus seems a bit like Ibra in his first years at Juve. In Italy he can grow up [to be] mean, but his father says Khephren is meaner."

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Asked where Khephren would fit in well in Serie A, the legend responded: "Anywhere. If I were an Italian club I would sign him immediately, he would be useful for everyone. Perhaps the only club already settled in that role is Inter who have built a strong midfield."