Liverpool are now looking at a “monster” £42m

The World Cup is in full swing, but it won’t be long before attention turns back to the Premier League in Liverpool.

In fact, much of the Merseyside persuasion has already centered on FSG’s transfer business at the start of the Andoni Iraola era, with the attacking development required.

Mohamed Salah’s departure has left a hole in Anfield’s attack. The 34-year-old’s decline in form last season had a major impact on Arne Slot’s demise in the dugout, and now, he needs to be replaced.

Liverpool’s transfer focus needs to stretch deeper. In midfield, it’s all been slow for the Reds, who have set their sights on an early goal to bring them back to form.

The midfield market is overcrowded at the moment, but with bids and rumors and everything in between flying in every corner, Liverpool are still biding their time.

That said, FSG have shown interest in Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has emerged as one of the stars to emerge from the World Cup, despite facing tough competition from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City among others.

Bouaddi, valued at £85m by LOSC Lille, is only 18 years old, but plays with such maturity and grace. However, for players currently interested, signing him will be difficult, with the Ligue 1 side determined to keep him next season – even if a deal is done now.

Liverpool cannot pay such a significant sum for a player who will not be available for another 13 months; therefore, they should look elsewhere.

Yes, according to reports from Italy, Liverpool are interested in signing Khephren Thuram from Juventus this summer, with the France midfielder allowed to leave Turin if his employers’ €50m (£42m) price tag is met.

Jurgen Klopp had limited interest in the 25-year-old back in 2023. Then with OGC Nice, Thuram did not move to Merseyside, with Liverpool signing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion instead.

Liverpool have been joined by a host of outfits across the continent in eyeing a move for the world-class midfielder. However, FSG will hope that their previous interest can be strong.

Why Thuram would be a better player than Bouaddi for Liverpool

Bouaddi has the world at his feet, but Thuram would pack a solid punch from the start under Iraola’s wing at Liverpool, and as he would come for half the price, he could prove a better deal.

Commentator Sam McGuire even suggested that he would be “monster“Under Jurgen Klopp when Liverpool were initially interested. That didn’t happen, but he has shown the ability needed to develop into a star at a stadium like Anfield.

Improving on the ball and always determined to win when his team loses, the Frenchman does not have the same high ceiling as Bouaddi, but the Moroccan will cost a huge sum this summer, and Liverpool will likely be forced to wait another year to win the Premier League anyway.

At 18, there are no guarantees that Bouaddi will establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League – especially from the start.

There are a lot of variables to work around, but Thuram would tick a lot of boxes for a title-chasing team in transition. This is a complete and dynamic midfielder who likes to get forward through play. In some ways, he shares many technical qualities with Bouaddi, and will provide something of a presence that many feel the Moroccan will add to Iraola’s squad.

Given that Thuram was profiled and branded before Klopp went with Mac Allister as a replacement, there’s a case to be made that he could be a good fit now, replacing the struggling Argentine.

He has only grown over the last few years in Italy, and Thuram may have the perfect skill set to drive this exciting new era under Iraola’s wing.