Sunderland have been linked with Juventus midfielder Khéphren Thuram, but that claim has now been played down
Sunderland have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Khéphren Thuram - but claims of Black Cats interest have now been shut down.
Calciomercato reported that Sunderland and Nottingham Forest had asked for information on the France international, with Juventus potentially open to offers as they look to raise funds this summer.
The Italian report claimed Juventus could value Thuram at around €35million-€40million, which converts to roughly £30.7million-£35.1million. It was also suggested that a sale at that level could help the Serie A giants secure around €23million-€28million in capital gains - around £20.2million-£24.6million - as they look to manage their finances.
However, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has since moved to play down the suggestion of Sunderland interest. Downie posted: “Understand Khephren Thuram is not on Sunderland’s radar this summer. The French international has three years left on his Juventus contract. Central midfield is not a position SAFC are looking to add in this summer, and there has been no contact with the Italian giants for the player.”
The denial is significant, though the suggestion that central midfield is not an area Sunderland are looking to strengthen is a slightly surprising one on the surface. Sunderland already have Granit Xhaka as a key figure in the middle of the pitch, but the Black Cats are also preparing for European football and a far heavier fixture schedule. With Sunderland set to compete domestically and in Europe, additional depth and cover around Xhaka would appear to make sense, particularly given his importance to Régis Le Bris’ side.
That does not mean Thuram is a realistic or active target. At £30million-plus, with a long contract at Juventus and significant interest elsewhere, the 25-year-old would always have looked like an ambitious link. But the broader midfield question remains an interesting one as Sunderland prepare for another major campaign.
According to Calciomercato, Juventus are under pressure to raise funds, with the club reportedly needing around €100million - approximately £87.7million - in capital gains by June 30, 2027. Thuram is said to be one of the players in the squad with a high market value, although manager Luciano Spalletti would reportedly prefer to keep him.
The same report claimed Juventus would rather sacrifice Teun Koopmeiners, but the Dutchman is not currently attracting the same level of interest. Thuram, meanwhile, is said to have Premier League admirers, with Nottingham Forest named as a club that had requested financial information.
Whether that was driven by genuine club interest, agent activity, or Juventus’ need to create a market is unclear. Thuram has already been linked with several Premier League clubs this summer, and these sorts of reports can often serve multiple purposes during a transfer window.
For Sunderland, the position as things stand appears clear: there has been no contact with Juventus, and Thuram is not currently on the club’s radar. Still, with European football ahead and Xhaka such a central figure in Le Bris’ system, the wider question of midfield depth is unlikely to disappear completely as the summer develops.
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