Romano provides important update on key Man Utd & Liverpool targets

Cameron Smith

• 15 Dec 2023 09:51 GMT
• 3 min read

Fabrizio Romano has provided an important update regarding Manchester United and Liverpool’s pursuit of OGC Nice duo Jean-Clair Todibo and Khephren Thuram.

The French pair have shone for Francesco Farioli’s side so far this season and have both attracted heavy transfer interest from the Premier League.

Man Utd have reportedly identified Todibo as one of their key centre-back targets for the January window, while Liverpool tracked Thuram throughout the summer but opted against making a move.

Jurgen Klopp’s side may now focus on other positions, given the arrivals of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo, but links with Thuram have persisted in recent weeks.

However, both English giants are unlikely to raid Nice during the January window, according to Romano.

The Ligue 1 side are currently second in the French top flight standings, four points behind Paris Saint-Germain, and are on course to qualify for the Champions League group stages for the first time since the 1950s.

As a result, they want to keep hold of their prized assets, Romano has confirmed.

What has been said?

The transfer expert told Caught Offside: “Khephren Thuram is again attracting transfer rumours and speculation ahead of January, with Liverpool and Newcastle being mentioned as suitors, but I can’t see anything happening in the middle of the season - certainly not while Nice are as competitive as they are.

“It’s been a surprisingly strong campaign from Nice so far, they’re not in mid-table as they have been in some years gone by, so the plan for now is to try to keep hold of Thuram, as well as Jean-Clair Todibo, who has been linked with Man Utd and others,” Romano continued.

“For now, I see Thuram and Todibo seeing out the season and seeing how far this team can go under Farioli.

“Once Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his people are through the door at Old Trafford, even if it’s just a minority stake initially, they probably will want to bring through the best sporting elements from Nice, and that may well include players like Thuram. That’s worth considering as well as the well-established interest in Todibo.

“Thuram will certainly be of interest to clubs in the Premier League and elsewhere in Europe this January, but I think the most likely development for him will come in the summer.

He concluded: “For one thing, he needs stability now more than ever because he wants to be part of the French national team for Euro 2024 in the summer, so he can’t risk adapting to a new club or a new league when he’s really on the fringes of Didier Deschamps’ side.”