Newcastle transfer news: Rivals now interested in signing Magpies target

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RB Leipzig have reportedly joined the race to sign OGC Nice talent Khephren Thuram, with the French midfielder also rumoured to be wanted by Newcastle United.

According to the Leipziger Volkszeitung, the Bundesliga giants have identified the 21-year-old as a long-term replacement for Konrad Laimer, who is set to join Bayern Munich at the end of this season. However, Leipzig aren’t alone in their pursuits to sign Thuram.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Newcastle also hold an interest in Thuram, a player the Leipziger Volkszeitung label as ‘sensational’ amid a breakout season with Nice, where the versatile youngster has made 28 appearances in all competitions for the French Riviera side.

As per the report, though, it is unlikely that Nice will be unwilling to sell Thuram this year, with the Ligue 1 club one of the few top-flight French sides who are not in a position to sell to keep their books in check. Yet given how good Thuram has been this season, their hand could be forced.

Indeed, playing for a UEFA Champions League club in Leipzig could also be an alluring factor for Thuram. And with Newcastle also in the mix, the midfielder faces a big decision in the coming months regarding his future, with Nice currently 12 points off the European spots in Ligue 1.

Whilst Newcastle have the financial power to outmuscle Leipzig in any battle for Thuram, Champions League football could be a deciding factor in the race to sign the Nice star, though the Magpies themselves could qualify for Europe’s elite club competition based on their current form.

Leipzig could struggle to sign Thuram with Newcastle interested

Newcastle are yet to go crazy in the transfer market despite being bankrolled by PIF, yet Champions League qualification could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back in terms of spending in a single window, with the Magpies potentially going big this summer if they finish in the top-four.

And as a result, Thuram to St. James Park could be a done deal, with Leipzig potentially missing out on a player who fits the club philosophy to a tee and would be a smart replacement for a huge squad presence in Laimer, even if the German side offered regular playing time.