Manchester United are poised to make multiple midfield signings during the ongoing transfer window.
The Red Devils have already secured a verbal agreement to land Atalanta midfielder Ederson, and he will formally join the club after the World Cup campaign with Brazil.
United were also determined to bring in Mateus Fernandes, but Tottenham Hotspur beat them to the West Ham United star after agreeing on a fixed deal worth £85m.
The club are now exploring alternatives, and Italian outlet Tuttosport claim that they have expressed interest in signing Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram.
The Bianconeri are open to parting ways with the Frenchman after failing to qualify for the Champions League. He is viewed as a big-money departure to ease their financial constraints.
Juventus have set an asking price of £43m for the 25-year-old. United have so far refused to meet that valuation. The same applies to Liverpool and Newcastle United.
United could swoop for Thuram at a discounted fee
United have already agreed to sign Ederson for £39m. They have an overall midfield budget of around £150m, which could be spent on three midfield signings.
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott has recently emerged as an alternative to Fernandes. The Englishman won’t come on the cheap either, with an asking price of £80m.
If United were to successfully recruit him, it would leave the club with £31m to sign a third midfielder to compensate for Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury.
The initial plan was to recoup additional funds from Ugarte’s sale to make a third midfield signing, but that could be limited with the Uruguayan sidelined for months.
According to DataMB, Thuram was one of the best in progressive carries last season, ranking in the 97.4th percentile. He stood well above Kobbie Mainoo and former target Fernandes.
However, he lagged behind the duo in forward passing accuracy, possession won and key passes. Thuram has some good traits but may not be viewed as a starting midfielder at United.
Hence, we are not surprised that the Red Devils have opted against meeting the £43m price tag. The club could be willing to sign him for £30m, but Juventus are aiming high for now.
Stats from DataMB
