Why Thuram must snub Arsenal and Liverpool this summer

Cameron Smith

• 12 Feb 2024 12:12 GMT
• 3 min read

Khephren Thuram looks set to leave OGC Nice this summer and a Premier League move has been heavily touted as a likely scenario.

The French midfielder has shone in Ligue 1 over the past few seasons and is now the subject of transfer interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool, according to reports.

Jurgen Klopp’s side wanted to sign Thuram last summer, but opted to sign Ryan Gravenberch instead, while Arsenal have now reportedly joined the race to sign him in 2024.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has recently poured cold water on claims that Thuram is high on Arsenal’s summer transfer wish-list, however.

“We’ve heard a lot about Arsenal wanting to sign a new midfielder in the summer, and one of the latest names being linked with them is Khephren Thuram of Nice,” Romano said.

“My understanding is that it’s not something concrete so far, Arsenal have made no decision yet. I can still mention Martin Zubimendi and Douglas Luiz as names on their list, but we’ll have to wait and see who they decide to go for.

“There is currently no news also on Thuram as it will also depend on how much Nice will ask for him - his price tag has not been decided yet.”

Despite rumoured interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, Thuram’s best option is actually to join West Ham if he leaves Nice this summer.

That is according to data analytics experts SciSports, who believe that a move to David Moyes’ side would be best for the France U21 star.

Khephren Thuram to leave Nice?

SciSports’ ‘Career Advice’ tool takes multiple different factors into account using an AI algorithm to predict which club in world football would best suit any given player.

For Thuram, West Ham narrowly come out on top ahead of Manchester United.

The Hammers’ desire for a new central midfielder was shown by their loan signing of Kalvin Phillips in January and signing Thuram on a permanent deal would elevate the talent level of their current midfield.

Tomas Soucek has been a brilliant servant in east London, but Thuram is a vastly superior player and could help West Ham challenge for European football once again.

Furthermore, Kobbie Mainoo may have enjoyed a breakout few weeks at Man Utd, but he is still 18 years old and rushing him into playing every single week may not be a smart idea. Signing Thuram as his rotator could work perfectly, however.

According to SciSports, joining Manchester City would also be a sensible idea for Thuram, with the Frenchman possibly a replacement for Phillips at the Etihad Stadium if the England international leaves on a permanent deal this summer.

At both Arsenal and Liverpool, competition for places is rife and there is no guarantee that Thuram will be a regular starter. At West Ham, however, he would become a key player alongside the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.