‘I hear’: New France call-up admits he’s aware of rumours amid Newcastle United interest

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Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram has admitted that he is seeing rumours about his future amid interest from Newcastle United.

Thuram has been speaking to The Telegraph as he prepares to make his debut for France.

The 21-year-old has been called up by the French senior team for the first time and could feature against the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland.

Thuram is being rewarded after a superb season to date, really emerging as a top holding midfield prospect with Nice.

Thuram also joins his brother Marcus in the France squad as they follow in the footsteps of father Lilian.

This call-up comes amid claims Newcastle United are interested in snapping up Thuram this summer.

Thuram doesn’t seem too fussed at the moment though, suggesting that he hears the rumours be isn’t concentrating on them.

The midfielder added that he is ‘very happy’ at Nice and and trying to develop into a top player.

“I hear, but I don’t concentrate on it,” Thuram says. “I am with Nice. I am very happy where I am. I am trying to get bigger with the club. I am trying to grow up with the club. So, yeah, obviously I hear it but it’s not the most important. The most important is to do good with the team and be happy where I am.”

Newcastle United interested in Khephren Thuram

The Daily Mail reported in December that Newcastle were looking at Thuram as a January transfer target.

The Athletic also noted that Thuram had been watched by Newcastle but Eddie Howe preferred Premier League experience.

The January window passed without Newcastle making a signing and a midfielder is likely to be a top target this summer.

Adding a natural holding midfielder will be vital and Thuram has shown at Nice that he can play that role.

A huge presence at 6ft 4in tall, Thuram can provide a solid base behind Bruno Guimaraes and a true midfield creator.

That should be appealing to Newcastle this summer, even if Thuram doesn’t have Premier League experience.

Howe has made exceptions for the likes of Sven Botman, Bruno and Alexander Isak and Thuram may well be worth bringing in too as Newcastle look to reshape their midfield.