According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, Liverpool are no longer interested in signing OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram this summer.
As expected, Liverpool have sought to get their transfer business done early and have already confirmed the signing of two midfield targets.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will be found at Anfield next season working alongside the squad and Jurgen Klopp to get the club back where they belong in both domestic competition and on the European stage.
The Merseyside giants failed to live up to high expectations last season after a whirlwind quadruple run the previous year and as a result, missed out on securing Champions League football for the first time in over half a decade.
After losing Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner upon the expiry of their contracts this month, there has definitely been a strong focus on bolstering the personnel in midfield.
Many players from Nicolo Barella to Federico Valverde have been linked with a move to Anfield over the last few weeks, but none more so than France international Thuram.
The 22-year-old ace was earmarked as the most likely player to become a new addition to Klopp’s midfield rebuild, but now it seems as if Liverpool have decided against the move following the acquisition of Szoboszlai.
Jacobs took to Twitter on Tuesday to make the claim:
“Understand Liverpool now don’t plan to sign Khephren Thuram following Dominik Szoboszlai’s arrival. Talks NOT taking place with Nice this week. #LFC have explored the deal and price not an obstacle. Thuram available for far less than €60m. Romeo Lavia is the one to watch.”
Our thoughts on Liverpool pulling out of a move for Thuram…
There is no doubt that the signing of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai will be warmly welcomed by the Anfield faithful this summer, however, with so many outgoings and midfielders reaching the latter stages of their career, it would be advantageous to sign another.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are well into their 30s at this point, whilst Fabinho has struggled over the last 12 months to maintain his high standards, meaning that there is a real opportunity to have a full refresh.
When considering Thuram’s attributes there is no doubt that he would be a valuable asset in the centre of the pitch for Liverpool owing to his work-rate and ability to be both potent in attack whilst maintaining defensive consistency.
As per FBref, the Frenchman ranks in the top 10% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for successful take-ons, progressive carries, and in the top 30% for touches, interceptions and shot-creating actions.
Having said that, the two new attacking-minded additions are more than enough to revive the pressing machine that Liverpool have become famous for under their German coach.
So a move for a much more defensive presence who has the experience and capabilities to add quality to the more defensive needs in midfield will likely be the next focus, should the club believe there is an opportunity to strengthen.
Whilst Liverpool fans will be very happy with the business that the club have done so far, more signings in midfield will definitely be something worth keeping an eye on over the remainder of the window.
