Liverpool 'withdraw interest in Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram'

Liverpool have withdrawn their interest in Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, according to a report.

The France Under-21 international had apparently been identified by Jurgen Klopp as an ideal acquisition for their midfield refresh ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Thuram has established a reputation as one of the most sought-after lynchpins in Ligue 1, having amassed two goals and eight assists from 48 games in the 2022-23 campaign.

The former Monaco starlet has now represented Les Aiglons on 138 occasions, registering eight goals and 11 assists, while he has scored twice in 17 games for France's Under-21s.

At one stage, the 22-year-old - who is the son of Lilian Thuram and brother of Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram - was said to have agreed personal terms with Liverpool ahead of a proposed move to Anfield.

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However, This Is Anfield claims that the Reds have ultimately decided not to pursue a deal for Thuram, whose representatives only held "preliminary" discussions with Liverpool.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have already arrived at Anfield this summer, and Klopp is still believed to be hoping to welcome one more midfielder to the club in the coming weeks.

Instead of Thuram, Liverpool have been tipped to prioritise a move for a Premier League-proven option in Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, who is also being tracked by Arsenal and Chelsea.

The report adds that a swoop for Lavia is also looking increasingly unlikely, though, as Southampton could demand as much as £50m to let the 19-year-old depart in the coming weeks.

With Liverpool dropping their interest in Thuram, a separate report from L'Equipe claims that Bayern Munich could instead try to prise the Frenchman away from the Allianz Riviera this summer.

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Bayern have apparently already met with the agents of Thuram, whose arrival at the Allianz Arena would see him compete with Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Marcel Sabitzer, Ryan Gravenberch and Konrad Laimer for midfield starts.

Gravenberch is another name rumoured to have been on Liverpool's shortlist of targets, but the Dutchman has now admitted that he expects to remain with Bayern for the 2023-24 season.

Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga could represent a cheaper option for Liverpool, as the 21-year-old is understood to possess a €40m (£34.4m) release clause in his contract with the La Liga side.

However, Paris Saint-Germain are supposedly leading the race to sign Veiga, who has also attracted glances from Chelsea and Manchester City after scoring 11 goals in the Spanish top flight last season.