- Kephren Thuram linked to Newcastle
- Sandro Tonali exit could open door
- A Tonali-Thuram swap deal possible?
Newcastle United are reportedly eyeing a potential swoop for Juventus midfielder Kephren Thuram, per Calciomercato. Interest in the Frenchman has been long-standing for the Magpies, but could become more concrete this summer amid growing rumours around Sandro Tonali’s future.
Juventus are said to be open to letting Thuram leave the club. A price tag of around £52m has been circulated, which could appeal to Newcastle this summer. Eddie Howe’s men are looking to freshen up the squad in a big way in the coming window.
The 25-year-old has been on the club’s radar since his time at Nice. He impressed over a five-season spell before making the move to the Italian giants in 2024.
Tonali’s Future a Factor
The interest has once again resurfaced amid growing uncertainty about the future of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali. The former AC Milan man is attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and reports suggest Manchester United have held talks with his agents.
There have been indications that Tonali would be open to a move away, despite Newcastle’s reluctance to sell. His contract expires in June 2028 but that means little in modern day football.
Should Tonali see the exit door this summer, the Magpies will be in the market for a replacement. The club is set for a ‘transformational’ summer with up to five first-team signings expected.
Given that Thuram has been courted by Eddie Howe in the past, he will likely be near the top of the replacements list when the transfer window opens.
Who is Thuram?
Interestingly, Thuram shares similarities with Tonali in his playstyle. The Frenchman is known for his defensive and physical qualities and would likely slot into the deepest position in Howe’s midfield three.
Thuram’s solid technical base and ball progression allow him to be a central figure in both transitional and patient buildup. The latter of which has been a problem for Newcastle throughout the last couple of seasons.
The Frenchman has a strong footballing IQ and tactical understanding, which could make him a good fit for Eddie Howe. The Newcastle boss is known for liking his players to be well-drilled in every phase of play.
Thuram still has hope of making it into Didier Deschamps’ World Cup plans for the summer in America, despite not being included in the most recent squad.
The midfielder has put on some solid performances for Juventus this season. Emerging as one of the club’s top performers despite the relative struggles they have faced thus far.
A Tonali-Thuram Swap Deal?
Not only has Tonali been courted by English clubs, but he has also been linked with a move back to his native Italy.
There had been reports suggesting Juventus were interested in bringing the midfielder back to Serie A, but would have struggled to finance a deal in full.
The rumours around Thuram may bring a swap deal into play. This is something Newcastle would likely favour over letting Tonali go to a domestic rival.
Given the differences in their valuations, Thuram is valued at around £50m and Tonali likely at around £80-100m, some work would be needed from Juventus’ end to make a deal plausible for the English club.
Newcastle would likely be open to slightly decreasing the asking price in favour of Tonali moving abroad, meaning this could be something to watch when the window opens in June.
