Newcastle United target set for 'imminent' £21m transfer - had agreed personal terms with Liverpool
Former Newcastle United and Liverpool transfer target Khephren Thuram is set to join Italian giants Juventus.
The Magpies considered a move for the Nice star last summer before pursuing a £55million deal for Sandro Tonali from AC Milan. Meanwhile, Liverpool were rumoured to have verbally agreed personal terms at one stage, however spent around £146m on midfielders Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch instead.
Nice reportedly demanded up to £50m for Thuram 12 months ago but his price tag has halved after entering the final year of his contract. As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Juventus have submitted a £21m bid, including adds-on. He reports that a deal is imminent with personal terms already agreed.
“Juventus are closing in on deal to sign Khephren Thuram,” Romano posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “OGC Nice have received final bid worth €20m fixed fee. Total potential package worth €24/25m, add-ons structure being negotiated but green light expected soon. Personal terms already agreed, deal imminent.”
The 21-year-old has made 167 appearances for Nice since joining from Monaco in 2019. He is the brother of Inter Milan forward Marcus, also a former Magpies’ target, and son of former France international Lillian.
Should a deal be completed as expected then Thuram will link up with Douglas Luiz, who Aston Villa sold for £42m last week.
Like Newcastle, who offloaded Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson to Brighton and Nottingham Forest, respectively for a combined £68m, Unai Emery’s side were also forced into sales in order to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).