Man Utd add insult to injury for Liverpool after spying midfield target in double scouting mission

Manchester United were watching Khephren Thuram as well as Jean-Clair Todibo during Nice’s season opener against Lille on Friday night, according to a report.

Fabrizio Romano revealed on Friday that a Man Utd scout was in attendance to track Todibo’s performance in the Ligue 1 curtain-raiser. Todibo is one of the main defenders Man Utd have been looking at as a potential successor to Harry Maguire, who has been the subject of a successful offer by West Ham.

Todibo lasted all 90 minutes against Lille in the heart of the Nice defence. But according to Get French Football News, he was not the only player being monitored by the Man Utd scout.

The website has claimed that Thuram was also being watched with a view to interest from Man Utd. Earlier this summer, the midfielder was linked with Liverpool.

Friday was already a frustrating day for Liverpool after Moises Caicedo indicated his preference to join Chelsea instead of them, and the Blues also closed in on an agreement for another shared target, Romeo Lavia.

Now, the fact that Man Utd might have barged into the race for another top target, Thuram, adds insult to injury for their rivals at Liverpool.

In midfield, Man Utd have already signed Mason Mount from Chelsea this summer. However, they have agreed to sell Fred to Fenerbahce and have received interest in Scott McTominay.

Therefore, they might need more competition in their engine room, which has led to links with Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina – if they can beat a range of competition for his signature – and Everton’s Amadou Onana.

Thuram joins Todibo on Man Utd radar

Now, Thuram appears to be on their radar too, despite being appointed alongside Todibo as one of Nice’s new vice-captains.

There are only two years remaining on his contract at the Allianz Riviera, though. The report from Get French Football News has indicated that deals for him and Todibo could cost between €40m and €50m (£34.5m to £43.1m).

Thuram was also a starter in Nice’s 1-1 draw with Lille, but he picked up a yellow card 10 minutes into the second half and was taken off shortly after.

Since joining Nice in 2019 from Monaco, he has made 139 appearances for the club to date, scoring eight goals and adding 11 assists.

It has previously been claimed that the 22-year-old wants to stay at Nice for one more season before seeking the next step in the summer of 2024.

Coincidentally, Khephren’s older brother Marcus Thuram was also linked with Man Utd earlier this summer, but the forward signed for Inter instead on a free transfer after leaving Borussia Monchengladbach.

READ MORE: Six centre-backs Manchester United could target to replace Harry Maguire: Todibo, Pavard, Silva…