Liverpool have reportedly taken a big step towards the signing of Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram by agreeing personal terms with the Frenchman.
The 22-year-old - who is the son of legendary France defender Lilian Thuram and brother of Borussia Monchengladbach attacker Marcus Thuram - has made quite the name for himself at the Allianz Riviera this season.
Thuram ended the 2022-23 campaign with two goals and eight assists from 48 matches in all competitions, helping Les Aiglons reach the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.
Thuram started 30 Ligue 1 contests for Nice, scoring two goals and setting up four more in the top flight, before missing their final three games with a hamstring injury.
The France Under-21 international's stock has continued to rise over the past few months, but he is only under contract at Nice for another two seasons and has been linked with several top Premier League clubs this year.
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Newcastle United, Manchester United and Manchester City all supposedly admire Thuram, but Liverpool are believed to be in the driving seat to bring the versatile midfielder to England next term.
Having entered talks with his representatives earlier this month, Football Transfers now reports that Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle on personal terms with Thuram.
The Reds have apparently been tracking the Frenchman's performances since January, and both he and his representatives are pushing for a move to Anfield in the summer.
Liverpool are now believed to be discussing a fee with Nice, who are not willing to let Thuram go on the cheap, despite the fact that his contract will run out in 2025.
Interest from Newcastle in particular could drive Thuram's price up, and he could end up fetching a fee of €60m (£51.4m), although Nice would be content to let him leave for €45m (£38.6m)
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However, the French club would want any interested party to stump up the payment in full, having apparently rejected an offer from Paris Saint-Germain to fork out the fee in instalments.
Thuram spent three years in the Monaco academy between 2016 and 2019, but he only made three senior appearances for Les Monegasques before signing for Nice on a free transfer.
The 22-year-old has since registered eight goals and 11 assists for Nice, being deployed as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder and left winger during his time at the Allianz Riviera.
Liverpool have already sealed one midfield signing in the form of Alexis Mac Allister, capturing the Argentine for a reported £35m from Brighton & Hove Albion on a five-year deal.
The Reds are reportedly hoping to bring at least three new midfielders to Merseyside after waving goodbye to Arthur, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita, the latter of whom has now signed for Werder Bremen.
Ben Knapton
