Khephren Thuram: Liverpool take decisive step in pursuit of United target

Liverpool have moved to the front of the queue for Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram after tabling a €45 million-plus-bonuses proposal that could scupper Manchester United’s long-standing interest, according to Caught Offside.

The Merseyside club’s bid comes as United intensify succession planning for Casemiro, who will depart Old Trafford when his contract expires in June. United caretaker boss Michael Carrick has overseen six wins and a draw in seven matches since taking the reins in January, lifting the club to third in the Premier League and fuelling optimism of a swift return to the Champions League.

INEOS, United’s football operations overseers, regard Thuram as the ideal candidate to anchor midfield, having tracked the 24-year-old since his formative years at Nice. The Frenchman joined Juventus in 2024 and has since made 35 appearances this season, scoring twice and providing four assists while operating either as a box-to-box presence or in a deeper shielding role.

Juventus, however, remain publicly adamant that Thuram is not for sale, pointing to a contract that runs until 2029. Yet sources indicate that an offer in the region of €65–75 million could prompt a reassessment, leaving room for Liverpool’s opening gambit to gain traction.

Caught Offside reports that Liverpool are seeking to inject greater physicality and ball-winning capacity into their engine room, qualities that have earmarked Thuram as a prime target. Arsenal are also monitoring the situation, but the Anfield hierarchy have now formalised their interest with a concrete package.

For United, missing out on Thuram would represent a significant setback in their rebuild under Carrick’s resurgent stewardship. The club’s recruitment chiefs delivered a strong summer window last year and are under pressure to replicate that success as they seek a seamless transition beyond the Casemiro era.

With Juventus braced for offers and Liverpool pressing ahead, the battle for one of Europe’s most coveted young midfielders is poised to dominate the pre-season narrative.