Transfer Centre

Liverpool 'schedule talks for Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 09 June 2023

Liverpool 'schedule talks for Thuram, Kone'

Liverpool reportedly schedule talks with the representatives of Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone, who play for Nice and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively.

Liverpool are reportedly ready to step up their interest in the midfield pair of Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone.

With James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all leaving Anfield on free transfers, it is no secret that Jurgen Klopp is in the market for new midfielders this summer.

Earlier this week, Liverpool confirmed that they had completed the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister on a long-term deal.

However, work will continue to acquire the services of another player for the centre of the pitch, preferably one in a lower age bracket with some of their current options now over the age of 30.

Although Liverpool continue to be linked with a wide range of targets, Thuram and Kone are two players who have been consistently associated with a potential switch to Merseyside.

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

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Liverpool are now preparing to make a bigger effort to sign at least one of the duo over the coming weeks.

Romano says that the Premier League giants have scheduled discussions with their representatives to discuss the possibility and likelihood of finding a positive resolution.

While no bids have been made to their respective clubs, they are expected to follow in due course if it is determined that there is a chance of concluding a deal.

Thuram is reportedly not short of admirers with Manchester City and Manchester United having also been linked with an approach for the one-cap France international.

Borussia Monchengladbach's Kouadio Kone celebrates with fans after the match in October 2022 © Reuters

With two years left on his contract and Nice having failed to qualify for Europe, a sale is deemed likely with Thuram ready to take on a new challenge at a bigger club.

Kone finds himself in an identical situation, aside from Borussia Monchengladbach possessing the option to extend his contract until the end of 2025-26.

That said, it has been recently suggested that a fee between €35m (£30m) and €40m (£34.3m) may be enough to convince the Bundesliga outfit to cash in on their most prized asset ahead of their summer rebuild.

Man United and Borussia Dortmund have bene credited with an interest in the France Under-21 international in the past, as have Paris Saint-Germain but they have since moved to sign Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte.