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Liverpool battling Man Utd for signing of “extraordinary” £52.1m player; they wanted him in 2023

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Image for Liverpool battling Man Utd for signing of “extraordinary” £52.1m player; they wanted him in 2023
Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images

Liverpool are said to be tussling with Premier League rivals Manchester United for the signing of Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram this summer.

The Reds have toiled in defence this season, especially Ibrahima Konate by his previous standards, while wide attackers Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo have also been poor.

It is easy to ignore Liverpool’s midfield as an issue too, though, with Alexis Mac Allister looking a tired figure, and Ryan Gravenberch not having the impact he did en route to title glory in 2024/25.

Curtis Jones has also seemingly fallen out of favour with Arne Slot, and Wataru Endo is only a squad player, so the need for a new face in the middle of the park is clear.

According to a new report from Calciomercato, Liverpool are among the clubs keen on snapping up £52.1m-rated Thuram from Juve at the end of the season.

United and Newcastle United are also in the mix, though, with the latter seeing him a potentially ideal replacement for Sandro Tonali, should he depart in the summer transfer window.

Will Liverpool reignite their 2023 interest in Khephren Thuram?

Thuram was linked with Liverpool throughout the summer of 2023 when he was still at Nice, following a tough season at Anfield that had seen both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson drift past their peak.

The Frenchman is still only 25, and a more rounded footballer than he was at that point, with Giovanni Martusciello hailing his quality earlier this season:

“Thuram, I think he’s extraordinary. Overall, they seem like a team that can have its say until the end. Then, to fight for the big goals, at least the ones they’ve always had in Turin, we need more time.”

Thuram would add the legs that Liverpool crave in their midfield, as well as quality in possession, having averaged two tackles per game in Serie A this season, and chipped in with two goals and assists apiece.

The Reds should certainly have him in their thoughts when it comes to ideal targets, although a more proven Premier League option could make more sense for them, such as Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton.

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Henry is an experienced football writer with a huge passion and knowledge of Liverpool.

He is also a main contributor for This Is Anfield, one of the world's biggest Reds-related sites, where he writes features and news, and covers matchday content.

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