Romano: Liverpool deal for €40m star goes ‘cold’ as Reds ‘not happy with reaction’ from club or player

Fabrizio Romano claims Liverpool have gone “cold” on a move for Nice midfielder Khephren Thuramn as they are “not happy with the reaction” from either the player or his club.

Thuram is among a number of midfielders still on Liverpool’s radar despite the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

It had been claimed that Jurgen Klopp didn’t want further midfield additions, but that was due to there being ‘no gaps to fill’.

But Thiago Alcantara’s been heavily linked with a move to Galatasaray so that could soon change.

Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is thought to be the priority and Romano has explained why Liverpool have gone off the idea of signing Thuram, despite the 22-year-old being keen on the switch to Anfield.

Romano said: “I think for sure they have some names on the list.

“For example, a player like Khephren Thuram has always been on the list at Liverpool but now the situation is more kind of cold because Liverpool are not happy with the reaction from the player’s side and the club’s side.

“So, they do believe that that deal is very expensive on both sides and this is why they decided to go for [Dominik] Szoboszlai and [Alexis] Mac Allister as priorities.

“Khephren Thuram has always been a player appreciated by Liverpool and remains a player appreciated by Liverpool.

“So, in case these terms can be changed in the next weeks, it could be different for Khephren Thuram.

“Obviously the player wants the Liverpool move, but you know better than me, that in football there are salaries and these kinds of costs.

“So, Liverpool want to do something smart. For example, [Romeo] Lavia will cost way less than Khephren Thuram also in terms of salaries and future costs for the club.

“This is why it’s really crucial to understand the package. At the moment the deal is on total standby, they’re not advancing.”

Journalist Ben Jacobs recently claimed Liverpool now believe Thuram to be the “wrong kind of player” having landed Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig.

Jacobs said: “So the price was not an issue, it’s not why they haven’t moved, but [Dominik] Szoboszlai’s come in and Thuram is seen to be the wrong kind of player.

“Now, sometimes we’re all guilty of only watching small parts or looking at a few statistics and saying, can’t both be a possibility?

“But, Thuram started his career as a defensive midfielder but doesn’t now play in that position.

“And Szoboszlai comes in who is an aggressive passer, who is dynamic, box-to-box and Liverpool’s focus now will be around getting a midfield destroyer, a traditional number six.”

And it appears Lavia is their preferred option to be that “midfield destroyer” and a report over the weekend claimed Liverpool ‘expect’ to agree a deal with Southampton for the 19-year-old.

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