Liverpool are plotting a move to sign French midfielder Khephren Thuram this summer.
Jurgen Klopp is set to strengthen his midfield department when the transfer window re-opens, with James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all set to leave the club at the end of June. Arthur will also return to Juventus at the end of his disastrous season-long loan spell.
However, Klopp and new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke are moving to try and seal their top targets early. Liverpool confirmed the appointment of German Schmadtke on Tuesday morning after the departure of Julian Ward and his role is to ensure the Reds get their recruitment right in the short-term.
Now, according to L'Equipe, Liverpool are pushing to secure the services of Nice ace Thuram. The 22-year-old has impressed in the middle of the park for Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Nice this season, making 48 appearances, scoring twice. Thuram, who is the son of France legend Lillian and brother of fellow Liverpool target Marcus, is a destructive midfielder who can operate from box-to-box.
The Italian-born midfielder started his career at Monaco, before making the move to Nice in 2019. Thuram has since become a fans' favourite at the southern France outfit, featuring over 100 times in the past four campaigns. But the 2022/23 season has been by far his most successful.
Thuram's performances earned him with a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year alongside Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. Although Nice have had a disappointing season overall, Thuram has been a shining light in the second-best defensive unit in the division - but he is attracting suitors from elsewhere.
A meeting has already taken place between Liverpool and Thuram's representatives. The player is reportedly keen on playing under Klopp and working at the Reds next season. He would give Liverpool some much-needed presence and energy in midfield, given the current state right now.
Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones make up Liverpool's current first-team midfielders at the moment and Klopp must strengthen this summer. Bruno Guimaraes, Youri Tielemans and Manu Kone are amongst the others that have been linked with a move to Anfield.
Schmadtke arrives on Merseyside initially on a short-term deal and admits that as far as his remit goes, its very much a Klopp-down approach. Speaking about his new role, he told Sport1 : “The input of the coach in transfers is greater in England than in Germany, where a sports board or a sports director holds everything in one hand. Klopp sets the priorities,”
“We then work with data analysts and scouts, he will then choose from a list of players who he’d like to work with. After that, I will approach the targets and clubs. And in the end, the owners must also be satisfied with the investments.
“I’ll start on 1 June. If we like each other, the cooperation can go beyond the transfer window. Let’s see. Then we will continue this or not.”
