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Liverpool-linked Khephren Thuram 'decides to stay at Nice'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 17 July 2023

Liverpool-linked Thuram 'decides to stay at Nice'

Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram reportedly decides to stay with the French club this summer amid interest from a number of teams including Liverpool.

Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram has reportedly decided to stay with the French club this summer amid interest from a number of teams including Liverpool.

After beginning his career with Monaco, the 22-year-old joined Nice in 2019 and has since established himself as one of the brightest prospects in Ligue 1.

Thuram, primarily a deep-lying midfielder, has chipped in with eight goals and 11 assists in 138 appearances for Nice across all competitions, and he was a key player under both Lucien Favre and Didier Digard last season, starting 43 matches.

The one-cap France international has two years remaining on his contract at the Allianz Riviera, and speculation over his long-term future has been rife during the summer transfer window.

Liverpool are one club who have been heavily linked with Thuram for several months, as Jurgen Klopp undergoes a midfield refresh at Anfield ahead of the new season.

Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi and OGC Nice's Khephren Thuram on April 8, 2023 © Reuters

Thuram's representatives are understood to have held "preliminary" discussions with Liverpool, although a report earlier this month claimed that the Reds have now withdrawn their interest in the midfielder.

With the likes of Newcastle United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich having also been credited with an interest in Thuram, the Frenchman has now seemingly made a decision on his future.

According to L'Equipe, via the Liverpool Echo, Thuram has decided to commit his future to Nice and will remain with the French club for the 2023-24 campaign.

The report adds that the youngster's decision has been met with "immense relief" by Nice's hierarchy, who have never been interested in selling their star midfielder this summer.

It is thought that Nice would only entertain offers for Thuram worth "much higher" than the €40m (£34m) that has been mooted in recent weeks.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts on May 6, 2023 © Reuters

Having seemingly moved on from Thuram, Liverpool have since turned their attention to a number of other targets including Southampton teenager Romeo Lavia.

The 19-year-old has been tipped to leave the Saints this summer following their relegation from the Premier League last season, although Liverpool may be required to fork out close to £50m for his services.

The Merseysiders have also been credited with an interest in Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo and Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat amid uncertainty over the futures of captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who have been linked with moves to Saudi Arabia.

Liverpool have already swooped for one Brighton midfielder this summer in the form of Alexis Mac Allister, while they have also spent around £60m on the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig.