Former Newcastle United transfer target Khephren Thuram is finally on the move after more than a year of speculation.
The French midfielder is finally leaving OGC Nice, after it was reported in May that a move away from the Ligue 1 club was likely.
But there was no interest from Newcastle United, despite Toon officials being long-term admirers of Khephren Thuram.
He was a target for the Magpies last summer, and was viewed as an alternative to Sandro Tonali, who became Newcastle’s second most expensive signing ever when he arrived for £55million.
Thuram was also considered in January, when Eddie Howe was severely short of midfield options. However, Newcastle opted against a move, deciding it was too big a risk to splash out on a player from Europe and expect him to have an immediate impact.
Khephren Thuram set to sign for Juventus
The Frenchman, who was also a target for Liverpool last summer, has been expected to be sold by Nice ahead of the new season, and now a deal is ‘imminent’.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who has taken to X to provide details about Juventus striking a bargain deal to sign Thuram from the French side.
He wrote on X: “Juventus are closing in on deal to sign Khephren Thuram! 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.”
Newcastle United do not need a midfielder like Thuram this summer
With Thuram set to change clubs for an initial fee of around £17million, Juventus are getting themselves a bargain. In contrast, the 23-year-old was valued at more than £50million.
Newcastle had a chance to grab a bargain and reignite their interest in Thuram, but there has been no talk of the son of World Cup winner Lilian Thuram moving to St James’ Park.
That is because Eddie Howe is well stocked in midfield – even though Elliot Anderson has just left the club to sign for Nottingham Forest. The academy graduate has joined Forest for £35million, in a deal that has helped Newcastle comply with PSR.
Following his departure, Newcastle have six senior midfielders heading into the 2024/25 campaign. That is more than enough, especially since one of them is the retuning Sandro Tonali, who is getting close to the end of his 10-month ban for betting.
The Magpies have got plenty of depth in the middle of the park and are planning to invest in other positions, such as right wing and centre-back. There is no need for a player like Thuram, despite how immensely talented he is.
It will be interesting to see how he gets on in the black and white of Juventus, and if he does well then perhaps Toon officials will regret not signing him up to play in the black and white of Newcastle United instead.
The post 'Deal imminent': Fabrizio Romano confirms long-term Newcastle target is joining Juventus for just £17m appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.