Major update on £52m Liverpool & Newcastle United target’s future ahead of St James’ Park visit

Khephren Thuram is set to remain at Nice for the 2023-24 season, according to reports in France.

The 22-year-old has been tracked by both Newcastle United and Liverpool with both clubs looking to strengthen their respective midfields this summer.

Eddie Howe’s side have added Italian international Sandro Tonali to their ranks in a £52million deal from AC Milan.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have brought in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and Hove Albion and RB Leipzig respectively for a combined total of £95m.

Howe would like to recruit another central midfielder but that will be dictated by Financial Fair Play. As it stands, Newcastle’s focus is currently on signing Harvey Barnes from Leicester City.

Although Paris Saint-Germain are also understood to be keen on Thuram, French newspaper L’Equipe claims Nice want to keep hold of the Frenchman until next summer when he enters the final year of his contract.

Thuram is set to visit St James’ Park with the Ligue 1 outfit on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6 to compete in the inaugural Sela Cup also involving Newcastle, Fiorentina and Villarreal.

Although Howe’s side aren’t scheduled to face Nice, Howe and supporters will get an opportunity to see Thuram in action with the French club’s fixtures taking place before Newcastle’s on both days.

The winners of the tournament will be decided on a points-scoring system. Teams are awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw, though will gain an extra point for every goal they score.