The upcoming summer transfer window will be a crucial one for FC Barcelona. There is already an understanding that while the managerial position remains uncertain, there are some positions in the team that must be improved upon. One of those positions for the Blaugranes happens to be the pivot role.
For this specific position, Barcelona have launched a hunt that spans across Europe. They seem to have found an option they like in France recently, and there are additional factors that could make this specific target a very attainable for FC Barcelona.
According to SPORT, the Catalans are keeping their eyes on Nice’s Khephren Thuram, son of former Blaugrana player and French player Lilian Thuram. He is seen as a physical midfielder who pleases Deco’s preference, and provides a similar profile to that of Amadou Onana, one of the Barcelona Director’s other favorites.
Contracted to Nice until 2025, he is currently valued at €35 million. For Barcelona, however, this price could end up coming down even more possibly. It just so happens that Nice reportedly have an eye on Senegalese talent Mikayil Faye, who coincidentally happens to be the property of La Blaugrana and plays under Rafa Marquez in the B team.
Even apart from Nice, other French teams such as Lens are speculated to be quite invested in the African prodigy. However, what may give Nice an advantage is the fact that Barcelona could be willing to take away Thuram. Already one of Ligue 1’s breakout stars, he is an option that Barcelona reportedly appreciate.
Furthermore, Nice themselves could even end up helping Barcelona afford their pivot. By advancing the sale of French defender Jean-Clair Todibo, they would be signing off 20% of whatever revenue they generate over to Barcelona as part of the deal they made when they first signed the Frenchman from the Catalan giants.
Thus, if reports of the €60 million price that Manchester United are willing to pay for him are to be believed, Barcelona could pocket a sizeable €12 million from it. This, in turn, could aid Barça’s pursuit of a new pivot for the team. For now, however, this remains an option involving both Todibo and Faye that Barcelona could look to exploit later.
