Liverpool’s pursuit of Khephren Thuram signing at risk amid Man Utd sale and lingering takeover uncertainty

The ongoing acquisition process at Manchester United has sent shockwaves that could potentially hinder Liverpool’s pursuit of securing the signature of Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram.

Jurgen Klopp’s side has expressed interest in the 22-year-old French international in recent weeks, aiming to bolster their midfield options.

Preliminary talks between Liverpool and Nice have reportedly taken place, as revealed by Sky Sports.

In the near future, Thuram is set to represent France’s U21 squad in the upcoming U21 European Championship. Interestingly, his national team includes Borussia Monchengladbach star Manu Kone, another player Liverpool has been eyeing.

Thuram made the switch to Nice in 2019 from Monaco, where he had yet to make an appearance in Ligue 1.

This season, he has been an integral part of Didier Digard’s squad, featuring in 35 league games, scoring two goals, and providing four assists.

Implications of the Manchester United takeover on Thuram’s potential move to Liverpool:

Nice is currently owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his petrochemicals company, INEOS.

Ratcliffe’s name has frequently been linked with Manchester United in recent months as he pursues a majority stake in the club, attempting to acquire it from the Glazer family.

However, a report from French outlet L’Equipe suggests that Ratcliffe and INEOS’s involvement in the Manchester United takeover process is having repercussions for Nice.

Specifically, if Ratcliffe succeeds in acquiring a majority stake in United, it is speculated that Nice’s transfer budget could suffer, further impacting their transfer activity.

L’Equipe’s report indicates that Nice would require compensation and adequate investment to secure “high-quality replacements.”

This scenario may present an opportunity for Liverpool in their pursuit of Thuram. Previously, L’Equipe (as reported by Liverpool Echo) stated that Nice was seeking a fee of £51.4 million for Thuram. However, if the French club finds themselves in desperate need of funds, Liverpool could potentially negotiate a lower asking price.

Yet, there is another potential hurdle. The Athletic has suggested that it has been proposed within the industry that Ratcliffe may decide to sell Nice if his bid to purchase Manchester United is successful. This development could potentially delay Liverpool’s pursuit of Thuram.