Liverpool fans were dealt a dose of ‘what might have been’ today as Jude Bellingham was unveiled as a Real Madrid player. In April this year, the club hierarchy decided to publicly abandon their pursuit of the England star in order spread transfer funds on a number of targets.
With the signing of Alexis Mac Allister already confirmed, thoughts have turned to the next man to arrive at Anfield this summer. Nice’s Khéphren Thuram has been heavily linked to be that man, but with the under-21 Euros commencing in Romania on 21st June, many onlookers are anxious that a deal is struck quickly.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we spoke to The Athletic’s James Pearce for an update on the Thuram story.
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James said:
“They certainly really like him. I was reading reports last week that the player side was already done and it was just a case of dotting a few Is and crossing a few Ts with Nice. That’s not the case.
“When you look at Thuram, you can understand why Liverpool are interested, and he certainly is on that list. It’s just it’s not as far down the road – I’ve been told – as some people have suggested.
“I get a lot of people on social media saying, ‘Well, just pay whatever, just get the deal done.’ That’s not really how negotiations work is it? It’s not like there is a set fee.
“Nice want to maximize whatever they can get for him. Liverpool obviously – if they decide to push the button on it – they want to get value themselves.
“He is widely admired by Liverpool’s recruitment staff. We know there’ll be at least one more midfielder, I think probably two.”
Redmen Reacts
It is understandable that fans want to see the club put its money where its mouth is in terms of bringing in quality additions. That said, the transfer window has only been open a day and it is over three weeks until The Reds report back for pre-season training. A balance has to be struck between signing a player quickly and striking the best possible deal for the club. If Thuram – who shares similar statistical traits to Nicolo Barella according to FBref – is not signed before France’s first game a week today, then the club may have to wait until the end of the tournament to complete a deal. The transfer of Luis Díaz was completed last year whilst the player was on international duty, so nothing can be ruled out at this stage. It seems clear that the 22-year-old is well-liked by important figures at the club, so fingers crossed we see him arriving before the end of the window.
TO HEAR MORE FROM JAMES ON THE LIKES OF VEIGA AND GRAVENBERCH, CLICK HERE
