Liverpool renew their bid to sign Klopp’s £44m target

The summer transfer window is not officially open yet, but Liverpool are not focusing on strengthening Andoni Iraola’s squad.

Rising Yann Diomand is said to be FSG’s top target, but RB Leipzig are looking for a nine-figure figure, with rival interest from Paris Saint-Germain, and needless to say, nothing is certain on this matter.

Iraola, 43, is one of the most exciting young managers in the world and has proven his skill, style and substance over his three campaigns at Bournemouth. Perhaps more importantly, he has proven his endurance, somehow growing stronger and stronger despite losing key personnel every year.

Iraora’s tactical vision will only come to fruition if he significantly increases his stamina level. A ferocious winger like Diomande can help, but Liverpool’s midfield under Arne Slott has formed the epicenter of the crisis, and FSG have no intention of ignoring the engine room at Anfield.

Liverpool learn the terms of former top target

Iraora’s football is attacking and uses verticality in possession, which basically means they are on the front foot and looking to break through the defensive line with sharp and agile passes.

Fitness levels need to remain high and to do so Liverpool will need to evoke change in midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister unable to cope with the pressure and intensity of this season’s Premier League.

Manager Fabrizio Romano recently admitted that several teams in Europe are considering the 27-year-old, who is one of the Premier League’s best midfielders to date. If Liverpool were to sell, they would undoubtedly need to acquire a suitable upgrade who would be receptive to Iraola’s enthusiastic approach.

According to Tutto Juve, that man could be Juventus’ Kefren Thuram, who was one of Liverpool’s top targets when manager Jurgen Klopp rebuilt their aging engine room in 2023. Mac Allister was part of the remake.

Thuram, 25, is physically and technically gifted and embodies the principles that Iraola aspire to in a central midfielder. Manchester United and Galatasaray are also keen, and Juve do not want to sell him, but since they failed to qualify for the Champions League, they will accept negotiations starting at around 50 million euros (approximately 4.3 billion yen).

Why Thuram is better than Mac Allister

Mac Allister has been a mainstay for Liverpool for the past three years, but it’s hard to ignore the Argentine international’s staggering underperformance this season, hampering the Reds’ hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

FSG needs to weigh the risks of defending its faith. Furthermore, Mac Allister only has two years left on his contract, so selling him now could represent good business.

Especially if Thuram is brought to Anfield to replace him. The France international was described by talent scout Jacek Kurig as a ‘one-man army’ in midfield during his time at OGC Nice, and the same praise applies now at Juventus, with Thuram winning the ball in the middle of the pitch and looking to make it tangible in the final third.

In that regard, Liverpool would definitely be looking to upgrade Mac Allister, who was left behind due to his speed and physicality. Throughout his second season in the slot, he rarely progressed and regressed in almost all metrics, but by the title-winning 2024/25 season he was one of the best players in the Premier League.

In fact, these two midfielders share many characteristics. Both bring a blend of creativity and combative skill, with both midfielders smart in their distribution, choosing the right passes and releasing the ball at the right time.

Thuram is one of the most progressive midfielders in Serie A and is a key differentiator as Liverpool look to get up and running for the start of a new era.

Thuram could be a catalyst for a Liverpool squad that needs to make a number of changes this summer. Signing a player like Diomand would cost a lot of money, but another forward and a full-back or two could also be on sporting director Richard Hughes’ agenda.

With elite potential at an affordable price, Thuram could be a player to keep an eye on for Liverpool, who are moving on three years after first making inquiries.