Liverpool ‘don’t plan to sign Thuram’ as transfer expert reveals which midfielder ‘is the one to watch’
Ben Jacobs says Liverpool “don’t plan to sign Khephren Thuram” after completing the signing of Hungarian playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai.
Szoboszlai joined the Reds over the weekend after they paid the £60million release clause in his RB Leipzig contract.
He joins Alexis Mac Allister at Anfield following his £35m move from Brighton.
Jurgen Klopp’s summer priority is to completely renovate his midfield and these two additions will go a long way to doing just that.
The German manager will need to buy a defensive midfielder before the summer transfer window closes, however.
Nice’s Khephren Thuram has been linked with a move to Liverpool for several months now, with Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia now emerging as the club’s number-one target.
And CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs has said a move for Thuram is off following the addition of Szoboszlai, with Lavia “the one to watch”.
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“Understand Liverpool now don’t plan to sign Khephren Thuram following Dominik Szoboszlai’s arrival,” Jacobs wrote on Twitter. “Talks NOT taking place with Nice this week.
“LFC have explored the deal and price not an obstacle. Thuram available for far less than €60m. Romeo Lavia is the one to watch.”
Meanwhile, Transfer Fabrizio Romano says Thuram is “on Liverpool’s list” but it would appear Lavia is higher on Klopp’s transfer wishlist.
“On Khephren Thuram, he remains on Liverpool’s list even if Lavia is also on the list and considered as big option,” Romano wrote for CaughtOffside.
“Liverpool have appreciated Thuram for a long time but a lot will depend on Nice’s final price tag and also on salary requests from the player.
“I’m not aware of Bayern negotiations as of today, no talks have taken place, despite reports.”
Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Arsenal are also keen on signing Lavia, according to multiple reports.
Some reports say the Gunners are not actively pursuing the 19-year-old, but a report from The Times on Monday evening said they will look to sign him after finalising a deal to bring in West Ham captain Declan Rice.
Lavia joined Southampton from Manchester City for a measly £12m last summer and could be set to depart for around £50m a year later, with Chelsea also interested, though they are prioritising Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
City will have the option to buy Lavia for £40m next summer if he stays at St Mary’s.
The Belgian international signed a five-year contract with the Saints and played 29 Premier League matches last term as his side were relegated to the Championship.
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