Liverpool has been quiet in the transfer market since signing Dominik Szoboszlai on July 2, more than a month ago. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have both left since then, adding urgency to the midfield recruitment assignment.
Despite the fact that the season opener against Chelsea is only six days away, it appears Liverpool will not rush. While Jürgen Klopp will again appear to be without a senior number six for that match, the hope is that FSG can make some genuinely savvy purchases before the window closes, rather than rushing panicky movements like the loan swoop for Arthur Melo last season.
And it appears like at least one transfer is moving forward, with a rumor out of Spain saying that Liverpool has made a large bid for a defensive midfielder. That has been enough to deter Real Madrid’s interest.
Nothing has been heard on the Khéphren Thuram front in a long time, despite the Frenchman being regarded as one of the most likely Liverpool recruits for much of the summer. Although he is not a number six by trade, he might fill the vacuum left by Henderson – the club has made a choice on the youngster.
Here’s Liverpool.com’s take on the latest transfer rumors swirling around the Reds.
Nice’s Khéphren Thuram
According to Fabrizio Romano of the Born and Red YouTube channel, Liverpool has chosen not to pursue Thuram further this summer. The midfielder is expected to stay with Nice.
Liverpool eventually dropped its interest due to price concerns, believing that there was not much to be done. According to Romano, both the transfer cost and the player’s wage demands were deemed high.
According to Liverpool.com, as much as the club would like to have another pair of midfielders in the door by now, the club can’t just jump into any deal for a player who appears to be a good match. While Thuram would tick a lot of boxes, he is not necessarily one to spend a lot of money on, with FSG opting to utilise release clauses on Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister instead to get actual starting quality in the number eight roles.
If demands are made on players and clubs before the end of the transfer window, Liverpool may reconsider the issue. However, a late move is preferable to a bad move, even if it calls the first few weeks of the season into question.
Lavia, Roméo (Southampton)
The Spanish press appears to be an unexpected source of Roméo Lavia news. However, El Nacional reports that the Southampton midfielder has also piqued the curiosity of Real Madrid this summer.
However, according to the source, Liverpool has now launched a $55 million (£43 million/€50 million) attempt to secure a deal for Lavia. The club ‘trusts’ that this will be sufficient to persuade Southampton.
It has already proven sufficient to cause Real Madrid to withdraw. Carlo Ancelotti was interested in Lavia, but that pursuit has now ceased, with the choice to retain Aurélien Tchouaméni also influencing the call.
