United gunning for irresistible French midfield maestro as his club scramble to agree contract extension – report

Manchester United’s midfield problems are well known, and INEOS are likely to address this once the transfer window opens in the summer. The Red Devils have prepared a three-man shortlist, with all of them from within the Premier League. Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace ace Adam Wharton. The Seagulls star was close to arriving in the summer, only for Brighton’s valuation to prove beyond United’s reach. His current form and asking price do not go hand in hand, which is why the Forest star has overtaken him in the pecking order. Acquiring Premier League targets will be complicated However, Manchester City are leading the race for him, which leaves only Wharton. And the Palace midfielder’s cost and desire to only play for a Champions League club are prohibitive factors. Which is why INEOS are trying to cast a wider net, and one of their targets from Serie A is a player they know well. Khephren Thuram, formerly of INEOS-owned OGC Nice, has taken his game to the next level since he joined Juventus. Last season, the French maestro scored five goals and registered eight assists, and he has carried on in the same vein in the current campaign. Khephren Thuram is a long-term target for United He has two goals and three assists to his name while dictating play from deep, a profile United are looking for. According to Teamtalk, the Bianconeri are desperate to keep a hold of the 24-year-old and are advancing in talks over a contract extension. “Manchester United and Liverpool are bracing for disappointment over Khephren Thuram, TEAMtalk understands, as he looks set to follow Kenan Yildiz in committing his long‑term future to Juventus despite strong and persistent interest from England. “The two Premier League giants are actively in the market for new midfielders this summer, and Thuram had been high on their radars, but the 24‑year‑old now looks set to remain in Serie A. Juventus desperate to keep hold of him “Both clubs have been keeping close tabs on Thuram, with United’s admiration stretching back to his emergence at INEOS‑owned Nice, and Liverpool long convinced he could elevate their midfield. “But those hopes are fading fast as Juventus accelerate negotiations and close in on an agreement they believe will keep the midfielder in black and white for years to come. If a deal is not completed, then Liverpool and United will be attentive to the situation.” His current deal is valid until 2029, and he is valued at €40 million as per Transfermarkt. United are crying out for a midfielder with his athleticism and ball-carrying ability. Whether there is a late twist in the tale remains to be seen. Feature image Alessandro Sabattini via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25