The Premier League-linked Khephren Thuram insists he is still ‘happy at Nice’ despite claims that Liverpool and Newcastle United want the Ligue 1 rising star.
With older brother Marcus out of contract at Borussia Monchengladbach, the window was supposed to be represent a season of change for the Thuram family.
But while Marcus is on the move, 22-year-old Khephren is in no rush to pack his own bags.
According to FootMercato, both Liverpool and Manchester City have been ‘seduced’ by the stylish midfielder’s ball-carrying prowess and balletic elegance. The Athletic, meanwhile, report that Newcastle’s recruitment chief Steve Nickson is a big fan of Khephren Thuram; the rangy 6ft 4ins schemer who’s running power and sky-high technical ceiling makes him a potentially inspired fit for one of the box-to-box roles alongside Bruno Guimaraes in Eddie Howe’s V8 engine room.
But with two years remaining on his contract at a Sir Jim Ratcliffe-backed Nice side, one-time France international Thuram obviously feels his development would be better served staying at a club where first-team football is all-but guaranteed.
Liverpool and Newcastle could miss out on Khephren Thuram
“I want to progress, go on the field, have fun,” Thuram tells L’Equipe. “For now, I’m at Nice. It’s going very well, I really like the club, so I still see myself in Nice.
“I am very happy an Nice. There are noises (about my future). I hear them but I’m happy in Nice. I hope to grow with this club.”
According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool – who appointed Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director on Tuesday – planned to back away from Thuram anyway, perhaps in the knowledge that the £52 million-rated midfielder would be difficult to lure away from the Allianz Riviera.
“Khephren, he is fantastic,” beams Nice coach Didier Digard, via RMC Sport. “He listens and implements (our advice). He has room for improvement and he is in demand.”
Liverpool are reportedly closing in on Brighton’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister but could miss out on another of Jurgen Klopp’s leading midfield targets. Chelsea contract rebel Mason Mount appears to prefer a move to Manchester United.
