Liverpool ‘agree personal terms’ with £51m Newcastle United target

Liverpool have reportedly opened talks with Nice over signing Newcastle United transfer target Khephren Thuram.

With Magpies head coach Eddie Howe keen to bolster his midfield options this summer, Thuram is understood to be one of several names under consideration, including Wolfsburg’s Felix Nmecha.

United are exploring their options carefully and naturally want the best pound-for-pound deals as they work under Financial Fair Play restrictions. For example, Thuram’s price tag is £51million, compared to Nmecha’s rumoured £15m valuation.

Competition for Thuram’s signature is also higher as Liverpool lead the chase. According to Football Transfers, the 22-year-old has told Nice he wants to move to Anfield and has already verbally agreed personal terms.

The same publication adds that Nice will likely sell below the initial asking price but want clubs such as Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain to come to the table to drum up the final sale price.

To bring confusion, however, Liverpool have supposedly dismissed speculation regarding agreed personal terms, as per The Athletic.

Thuram currently has two years remaining on his contract at the French club, where he scored two goals in 48 appearances during the 2022-23 season.

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The midfielder, who earned his first France senior call-up in March, was on track to play in each of Nice’s 51 matches last season before a hamstring injury ruled him out of the remaining three games.

Khephren is the brother of free agent Marcus Thuram, who has also been linked with Newcastle because of his close friendship with Allan Saint-Maximin.