Former France international Florent Malouda has likened Liverpool target Khephren Thuram to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and believes the Nice midfielder would be a fine addition at Anfield.
Thuram, who made his senior France debut earlier this year, is currently with les Bleus' Under-21 squad at the European Championships in Georgia and Romania and was part of the team that advanced into the knockout stages on Wednesday night with a 4-1 win over Switzerland.
Thuram is one of a number of midfielders Liverpool are looking at this summer as they aim to significantly restructure their midfield department following last season's underperformance and the exits of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
And Malouda, who won five major honours during his six years at Chelsea between 2007 and 2013, thinks his compatriot can be compared to the Gunners icon Vieira, who was a major part of a France squad that lifted the 1998 World Cup and the European Championships two years later.
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"I know Khephren really well. I played with his father Lilian for France and his brother Marcus played at my former club Guingamp," Malouda told Genting Casino. "I’ve seen his game evolving. He has worked under Patrick Vieira, and I think that is a good comparison to make in terms of players that remind me of him. Khephren is tall, physically very strong and he has a lot of skill. He can sit in the midfield or play box-to-box.
"I think now is the right time to sign these players because their market value will increase. Khephren has received a few international call-ups with the main squad, so he will be thinking about the European Championships next season. I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops in the European Under 21 Championship.
"He has a great mentality. With the family that he comes from, wow! This is greatness. His dad must be very, very proud to see both his sons playing with the national team and to be linked with some of the most important clubs in Europe."
Liverpool moved quickly to secure their first arrival of the summer, signing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion within two weeks of the Premier League season ending when his £35m release clause was triggered.
Malouda added: "I think Mac Allister is ready to take the next step in his development by playing for a big club like Liverpool. After winning the World Cup with Argentina, where the pressure for his country to perform was so intense, especially after they lost the first game to Saudi Arabia, he looks like he is ready.
"When you win the World Cup, your mentality changes. You become a different player because more people expect you to lead, and you also develop a taste for winning trophies. When you experience lifting one, the hunger is there to do it as many times as possible.
"I think he is a great choice for Liverpool. Midfield was an area where they need to create competition and he will bring more confidence and stability to that area of the pitch. With the way that Liverpool play, I think he suits their system perfectly.
"I also think that by signing him so early shows you how important and integral he will be for them this season. I think he will be one of the cornerstones of a team that will be desperate to get closer to Manchester City next season."
