Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is a long-term admirer of Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram and Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao - but those moves may now be complicated
Khephren Thuram has been linked with a move to Liverpool
Liverpool may be made to regret dallying on deals to sign Khephren Thuram and Nico Williams with transfers for the in-demand duo likely to be tougher than ever.
Spain international Williams, 21, is considered one of the brightest prospects in La Liga, but his club are now insisting he will pen a new contract to remain at the club with older brother Inaki, who is contracted until 2028. As with Williams, Nice midfielder Thuram has also been on Liverpool ’s radar.
The 22-year-old has broken through into the senior France international setup and is now catching the attention of Juventus. The Italian giants are sourcing a replacement for Paul Pogba – who looks likely to receive a long-term ban from football after testing positive for a banned substance – and believe Thuram could be an ideal replacement.
Thuram is the son of the former France international footballer Lilian Thuram, a former Juventus defender, and his brother Marcus plays for their domestic rivals Inter. A fresh report in Calciomercato outlines how Thuram is Juve’s primary transfer target for next summer and will be a de facto replacement for Pogba in the Bianconeri’s squad.
That means that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will likely regret the decision not to move for the Frenchman this summer. Thuram’s transfer valuation is likely to rise with interest from Juve, and others, with a deal likely to now become complicated.
Meanwhile, Bilbao insist Nico Williams is going nowhere and outlined their confidence in him committing to the long-term future in the Basque Country. The club’s president Jon Uriarte has now spoken of the winger’s future.
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Spain international Williams is out of contract at Athletic Club next year (
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“We are calm,” Uriarte told Diario AS over the future of the younger Williams, amid other stars. “We want an attractive project for Nico and other players, like Unai Gomez, who renewed his contract this week. We trust that Nico will find the project attractive, and we believe that will be the case. His family is loyal to Athletic and it’s the best for his career. As for possible rumours, we have no idea.”
Liverpool missed out on a series of transfer targets this summer including Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who both joined Chelsea instead, while Sofyan Amrabat – who was also on Klopp’s radar – made the switch to Manchester United.
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