It now looks like Newcastle United could have a clear(er) run at trying to sign France midfielder Khephren Thuram after Liverpool are reported to have turned their attentions elsewhere.
As recently as Sunday it was believed that Newcastle and Liverpool were going to battle it out again in the transfer market, this time for OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram.
Liverpool won the race for Dominik Szoboszlai who had been heavily linked with Newcastle, and it was with that in mind that Newcastle fans would have been forgiven for thinking they’d once again lose out on a top target to Liverpool if both sides were to bid for Thuram.
Ben Jacobs expects Liverpool to turn their attention to Romeo Lavia
However, journalist Ben Jacobs has today taken to Twitter to say he doesn’t expect Liverpool to go for Thuram after signing Szoboszlai saying: “Understand Liverpool now don’t plan to sign Khephren Thuram following Dominik Szoboszlai’s arrival. Talks NOT taking place with Nice this week. #LFC have explored the deal and price not an obstacle. Thuram available for far less than €60m [£51.5million]. Romeo Lavia is the one to watch.”
While the price may not be an obstacle for Liverpool, it could be for Newcastle who just completed the £55million signing of Sandro Tonali.
Along with the price, there’s a feeling that the two players are quite similar and that could mean Newcastle will not pursue a move for Thuram either.
That being said, Italian journalist Rudi Galetti said on Sunday that ‘concrete moves’ were being made by Newcastle for Thuram.
Thuram, Tonali and Bruno would be an amazing Newcastle midfield
It’s worth noting, though, that in that same tweet, Galetti said Liverpool were speeding up their move for Thuram. Both Jacobs and Galetti can’t be right so we’ll just have to see where this one goes.
Thuram is certainly a very talented player and has been praised for being ‘hardworking‘, he would be very welcome addition to Newcastle’s squad, but given his price tag and similarity to Sandro Tonali I’m not sure he’s up at the top of Eddie Howe‘s priority list any more.
What a midfield we’d have if he joined though.
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