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Liverpool’s midfield rebuild this summer is proving to be anything but straightforward.
Now a new complication has emerged, and it is coming from an unexpected direction.
The scale of change at Anfield demands serious investment in the engine room.
Andy Robertson has departed. Ibrahima Konate has gone. Mohamed Salah has left.
And Curtis Jones, the club’s homegrown academy product and one of its most consistent midfield performers over recent seasons, is edging closer to the exit door himself.
According to multiple reports from Italy, Inter Milan are preparing a fresh bid for Jones after seeing an initial offer of €20 million rejected, with Liverpool holding firm on a valuation of around €30 million.
Jones has shown openness to the move and contract talks at Anfield have completely stalled, with the 25-year-old entering the final year of his deal this summer.
New head coach Andoni Iraola inherits a midfield that requires both quality and depth.
The recruitment team led by Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards have been doing their homework.
Several names have been studied.
And one has emerged as a particularly compelling option, a physically dominant, technically reliable, ball-carrying midfielder who has proven himself at the highest level of European club football.
25-year-old Juventus midfielder, Khephren Thuram, has caught the attention of Liverpool and Manchester United, with both Premier League clubs having made enquiries about his situation.
According to TuttoJuve journalist Mirko Di Natale, “Al Ahli are targeting Khéphren Thuram (25).”
“The French midfielder has ended up in the sights of the Arab club, who are looking for a replacement worthy of Franck Kessié, who is destined to leave for free in this transfer window.”
As per the report, Juventus have not yet set a firm asking price but initial discussions around a sale are expected to begin in the region of €45 million to €50 million.
Thuram joined Juventus from Nice in the summer of 2024 and has since made 96 appearances in all competitions for the club, contributing to over 20 goals across that period.
His numbers this season speak clearly.
In 35 Serie A appearances he averaged 7.12 on FotMob, completed 1,308 passes at an accuracy of 86.8 percent, won 132 duels and made 60 tackles.
He ranks in the 97th percentile for progressive carries among midfielders across Europe’s top leagues.
He is 191 centimetres tall, dominant in the air and capable of driving through lines in a way that few central midfielders can.
Now Al Ahli have entered the picture.
The Saudi Pro League club are looking for a replacement for Franck Kessie, who is set to leave on a free transfer this summer, and Thuram fits the profile they are targeting.
However, according to TuttoJuve, who are understood to be close to the player’s entourage, Thuram has no interest in moving to Saudi Arabia.
That position has been made clear and approaches from Al Ahli have been firmly rebuffed.
The player’s preference, as things stand, is to remain in elite European football.
And if he does leave Juventus, it will be for a top Premier League club.
With Jones likely heading to Inter and the central midfield options at Iraola’s disposal requiring reinforcement, Thuram at around €45 million represents strong value for a player of his profile and age.
Juventus, for their part, are open to a sale at the right price.
The next move belongs to England.