Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate has hinted that the Reds could possibly be signing Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram in the near future.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to Anfield numerous times in recent weeks, as Jurgen Klopp attempts to bolster his midfield options ahead of the start of next season.
Thuram has arguably stood out as one of Liverpool’s primary summer targets, along with Alexis Mac Allister, who also already completed his move to Anfield from Brighton.
The domestic season may be over, but some players are still off on international duty representing their respective countries, with Konate with France currently.
Speaking to RMC Sport [via The Daily Mail], the 24-year-old made it very clear how much he would like to see Thuram in a Liverpool shirt moving forward:
“I would be very happy for him [Thuram] to come to Liverpool and I would take him under my wing and I would do everything for him to progress and become the player he wants to become.
“Khephren is like my little brother, he’s someone I saw growing up. I was with his big brother [France international Marcus] in the training centre, but I saw him grow.
“I saw him perform and progress at a level… it was incredible. Even when he came to the France team for his first selection. I saw him at the training and I was really surprised by his size and his technical ease.”
Our verdict on Konate’s comments about Thuram…
These are certainly some encouraging quotes from Konate, with the Liverpool centre-back surely not coming out with such comments if he didn’t believe a move was a genuine possibility.
It is also exciting to hear him speak so glowingly about a Reds transfer target, suggesting they could be bringing in a special talent if the deal is completed this summer.
At 22, Thuram looks like a massive prospect, having already made 138 appearances for Nice, scoring eight goals and registering 11 assists along the way.
He is an all-round midfielder who can get on the ball and display his technical ability, enjoying an 86.9% pass completion rate in Ligue 1 last season, as well as covering ground and biting into tackles.
With Mac Allister already brought in, it is essential that a couple more midfielders also head to Anfield, and Thuram should be considered the next player to focus on signing the most, especially after Konate’s endorsement of him.
