Reported Liverpool target Khephren Thuram is now a top target for Newcastle United, after they missed out on Dominik Szoboszlai.
Newcastle were claimed to be rivalling Liverpool for Szoboszlai, but the Hungarian has since made it clear that he wants to sign for the Reds. As a result, the Northern Echo report that the Magpies are now looking at alternatives.
To that end, Thuram has reportedly ‘long been regarded’ as a ‘Plan B’ to Szoboszali. However, with OGC Nice reportedly demanding more than £60m to let him go, he’s not going to come cheap.
Liverpool and Newcastle go head-to-head again
As Liverpool close in on Szoboszlai, their big midfield rebuild is almost complete. With Alexis Mac Allister already signed, Jurgen Klopp now has two high quality new players who can go straight into his starting line-up.
For now, the expectation seems to be that Liverpool aren’t quite finished yet. But with £60m likely to be the figure paid to RB Leipzig, there won’t be loads of room left in the budget.
As a result, the price quoted for Thuram here would feel a little too much.
Throughout the summer, the Frenchman had felt likely to be the next man through the door at Anfield. Szoboszlai’s potential arrival has clouded that, though. Maybe the Reds have been priced out.
With the Hungary international pretty much certain to cost a similar fee though, that wouldn’t feel like being the case.
Instead, we think Liverpool are still hanging on in there with Thuram. Price valuations have fluctuated from £30-60m so far, so somewhere in-between would still feel possible.
Of course, the Reds can’t ignore Newcastle in this race, too. Although if the Magpies don’t feel comfortable paying £60m for Szoboszlai, it seems unlikely they’d change their mind on Thuram. Plenty of legs left in this yet.
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