Liverpool are one of the sides still hoping to convince Marcus Thuram to join them on a free transfer.
The France international is out of contract with Borussia Monchengladbach this summer and looks set to be on the move. According to Spanish outlet AS, there are still plenty of teams in the running to sign him.
They name as many as six clubs who ‘love’ Thuram, including Liverpool. Others in with a shout reportedly include Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and Juventus.
But above all, AS claim, is Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s side are said to be ‘insisting’ on bringing the 25-year-old to the Wanda Metropolitano.
So, it sounds like a pretty fierce race for Thuram. However, AS report that the World Cup runner-up will have a way of weeding out the clubs he doesn’t fancy joining.
That’s because Thuram reportedly will only join a club competing in next season’s Champions League. The Frenchman is said to be keen for his next team to play in the competition.
Thuram not a priority for Liverpool
While Thuram appears to be Atletico’s primary transfer target for the summer, he clearly isn’t Liverpool’s.
That honour falls squarely at the feet of one Jude Bellingham. Beyond Bellingham, the Reds will need to further reinforce their midfield to prevent another season like the catastrophic one we’re currently witnessing.
As a result, they don’t necessarily need to be getting into battles for free agents with big wages – especially forwards.
There’s no question that Thuram would be a good addition, though. Ibrahima Konate’s international teammate has been on fire this season. Thuram has even been described as being ‘world-class’ by Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schafer.
That might be undue praise, but from his performance in the World Cup final alone, you can see Lillian’s son has something special.
To bag a talent like that with no transfer fee will be a coup for someone. Liverpool have been continuously credited with an interest in Thuram for many years, so it could still be them. But at this stage, we’d think an Anfield move for his brother Khephren would be much more likely.