Liverpool open talks with new midfield option Chelsea have already earmarked to replace contract rebel
Liverpool have held ‘conversations’ with a Ligue 1 midfielder who’s vastly experienced for his age, and could scupper a Chelsea succession plan if pushing a deal through, per reports.
The Reds and Blues are both involved in a bitter struggle for Champions League qualification this season. Liverpool’s issues have been in their own half, with just eight clean sheets kept in 27 matches across all competitions.
The midfield is where most observers believe the root of the problem is. Jurgen Klopp’s midfield was once the most difficult to play through in the league. Now the opposite is true.
Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle to trouble opposing defences. Indeed, their mark of 20 league goals is by far the lowest of all sides situated in the top half. Man Utd are next with 27. The likes of Fulham, Brentford and Brighton have all scored 30+.
Chelsea and Liverpool have both been active in the market this month as they seek to redress their ailing seasons.
The Reds added Cody Gakpo, while Chelsea have pushed the boat out even further, landing Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana. Joao Felix’s six-month loan from Atletico was confirmed at midday today.
Now, according to two reports, the pair have converged in the market over Nice midfielder, Khephren Thuram.
Liverpool hold talks with possible Jorginho successor
The 21-year-old is the son of France legend Lilian Thuram and the younger brother of Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram.
Despite not turning 22 until March, Thuram already has well over 100 senior appearances to his name, including 96 in Ligue 1.
Chelsea journalist Simon Phillips recently reported Thuram was being lined up as one of two possible replacements for Jorginho at Stamford Bridge.
The 31-year-old is out of contract at season’s end and the latest from the Telegraph claimed he’s ‘likely to leave’.
However, writing for FootballTransfers, journalist Jacque Talbot has thrust Liverpool into the mix.
He reports ‘there have been conversations between Liverpool and Khephren Thuram’. Details beyond that basic statement are in short supply for the time being.
Klopp is known to be seeking reinforcements in his midfield and Jude Bellingham his undisputed No 1 priority.
However, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are all out of contract at season’s end. While one or two may be offered fresh terms, it’s unlikely all three are retained.
Liverpool are likely to require multiple new recruits in the engine room very shortly and Thuram is now seemingly a new name in the mix.
Other targets repeatedly linked include Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Kouadio Kone and Sofyan Amrabat.
