A Liverpool transfer target who rejected a summer move to Anfield has been described as a “shadow of his former self.”
Last summer Liverpool conducted an overhaul of their midfield department, with four new stars coming in and several leaving.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were brought in for a combined outlay of over £140 million, and have helped propel Jurgen Klopp’s side to the top of the Premier League table.
There were a number of targets that Liverpool weren’t able to bring in, including Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo.
Both have struggled since deciding to join Chelsea instead, and it’s a similar story with another famous name.
Kephren Thuram, brother of Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram and son of France legend Lilian Thuram, was heavily linked with Liverpool last summer.
However, after a move failed to materialise, the Nice midfielder revealed that he decided he wanted to stay at the Ligue 1 club.
“Regarding what happened in the transfer window, I decided to stay,” he said in November.
“I wanted to continue to progress at Nice, and progress as a player at this club.
“Honestly, it made me happy to be linked to all these clubs left, right and center. It shows I’m doing the right things but as I said, I knew I wanted to stay here.”
However, since making that decision Thuram has struggled for form at Nice.
As explained by journalist Luke Entwistle for Get French Football News and The Guardian, Thuram has struggled to adapt to the tactical system of manager Francesco Farioli.
The Italian coach replaced Didier Digard in the dugout last summer, and has implemented a defensive approach that hasn’t suited the box-to-box midfielder.
Entwistle wrote: “Often found lurking in the block shadow in recent games, Thuram is a shadow of his former self.”
Nice captain Dante has also noticed the 22-year-old’s struggles.
“We’ve got used to him playing great matches that when he is a step below, we see it,” the former Bayern Munich defender said.
Thuram has slipped down the pecking order in the French national team as a result, meaning his place in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the upcoming European Championships is under threat.
According to Sky Sports, the Reds have held preliminary talks with the French side over a move for the 22-year-old, who Nice value at £51.4 million.
The transfer chase isn’t exactly straightforward for either party. L’Equipe report that the Nice owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s involvement in the Manchester United takeover process is affecting the club’s transfer business – and could result in them having a lower transfer budget if the British billionaire is successful.
After a ninth-placed finish in Ligue 1, Nice are keen to sign reinforcements – which could result in them accepting a lower fee for Thuram if funds are desperately required.
For now, though, Liverpool appear to be in the early stages of trying to thrash out a deal for the 22-year-old, who is the son of France legend Lilian Thuram.
But a new post from the player’s advisor could hold the key to new developments.
Thuram is represented by the ‘super agent’ Rafaela Pimenta, who advises the player alongside Lilian Thuram.
Pimenta took over Mino Raiola’s agency of star players upon the Italian’s death in 2022. However, Khephren’s brother, Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram, left the agency prior to Raiola’s passing, according to Goal.
It has been claimed by Football Transfers that both Thuram and Liverpool have agreed personal terms over a move, with negotiations still ongoing with Nice over a fee.
