Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly slapped a price tag on Liverpool target Khephren Thuram which could see the Reds inadvertently aid the British billionaire’s purchase of Manchester United. Thuram was a reported target for Liverpool in the summer transfer window and Jurgen Klopp could reprise his interest in January.
Klopp completed a major overhaul of his midfield during the summer transfer window. The likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Endo Wataru have seen the German upgrade on his options from the previous campaign.
Nice star Thuram was linked with a switch to Anfield but the move did not materialise. Instead, the 22-year-old remained with the Ligue 1 side and has continued to impress.
Thuram has played in 10 of Nice’s top-flight fixtures this season, with injuries preventing a prominent role in Francesco Farioli’s side. It has led to reports that the France international could be made available in the January transfer window.
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According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Nice owner Ratcliffe wants £34.8million (€40m) for Thuram. Juventus and Inter Milan will reportedly face competition from Liverpool for his highly-sought signature.
But should Liverpool attempt to strike a deal for Thuram at that price, they might be inadvertently helping north-west Premier League rivals Man Utd. Ratcliffe is reportedly close to completing a £1.4billion purchase of 25 per cent of the Old Trafford outfit.
Liverpool paying Nice £34.8m would help Ratcliffe keep the French outfit funded while he plans his overhaul of the United sporting department. That, in effect, could help the 71-year-old INEOS chief pay more attention to his work with United.
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Thuram’s potential move to Liverpool could also free up defender Jean-Clair Todibo to complete a widely-report switch from Nice to United, aided by Ratcliffe. Nice will then be able to reinvest the huge transfer fees without requiring major funding from Ratcliffe, who can place all his efforts into making the Red Devils a Premier League powerhouse.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool will target a fifth midfield signing of the season. Thuram can play as a defensive midfielder or as a box-to-box No 8, making him an attractive proposition to Premier League sides.
However, Klopp may decide that defensive reinforcements must now be the priority. Joel Matip’s likely summer departure on a free transfer will leave Liverpool with just three recognised senior centre-backs, making the need to sign replacements extremely important.
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