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Liverpool have "verbally agreed" personal terms with Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, according to an exciting update from journalist Jacques Talbot.

Which midfielders are Liverpool signing?

The Reds have made it plainly clear that they are aiming to do some significant midfield surgery in the summer window, with constant links to new players emerging. On Thursday, Alexis Mac Allister was confirmed as a Liverpool player, with the Argentine completing a move from Brighton and coming in as a hugely exciting signing.

It would be a massive surprise if the Merseysiders stopped there, however, and Thuram is another player who has been tipped to make the switch to Anfield. The £14,000-a-week star enjoyed an excellent 2022/23 season with Nice, scoring twice and registering four assists in Ligue 1, as well as enjoying an 86.9% pass completion rate.

Paul Joyce has confirmed Liverpool see the 22-year-old as a summer target and a new update further suggests that that is the case.

Is Thuram joining Liverpool?

Taking to Twitter on Thursday evening, Talbot provided an encouraging update on Talbot's situation, saying personal terms have been agreed: "Understand personal terms have been verbally agreed between Liverpool and OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram."

This is great news for Liverpool, if true, with Thuram someone who perfectly fits the profile of what the Reds need in the middle of the park moving forward. Last season, they looked horribly one-paced in midfield, as likes of James Milner, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson looked their age, while Thiago, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were on the treatment table too often.

In Thuram, however, Liverpool would be bringing in a vibrant presence with an ability to cover ground with ease – he averaged 1.5 tackles per game in the league last term – and he could add so much life in that area of the pitch. The Frenchman has been hailed as a "proactive and tenacious tackler" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, as well as "fast and athletic", and these are the attributes that felt so lacking at Anfield in 2022/23.

If a move for Thuram can be sealed, and one more midfielder also come in alongside him and Mac Allister, Liverpool could be transformed next season, with the rest of their team already looking strong. The middle of the park is such an influential part of the side, as Fabinho, Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum showed at their peak, and this could be the new era there.

From a creative standpoint, the likes of Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold must have felt like Atlas, the Greek titan tasked with holding the world on his shoulders, at times during their respective Liverpool careers.

While Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino both boast more assists with Jurgen Klopp in the dugout, Alexander-Arnold's assist rate of 0.26 per 90 and his Scottish counterpart's rate of 0.24 per 90 are bettered – marginally – only by the world-class Egyptian's rate of 0.27 per 90, and Salah is one of the the most prolific in the business.

Auxillary support from the central midfield has been in short supply for Liverpool over the past several years, as Klopp's system is steeped on industrious midfielders churning the engine at full throttle while the wide players assume creative responsibility, with Robertson and Alexander-Arnold indeed taking precedence in this regard with their unceasing output.

And according to 90min, RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo could rewrite this narrative, with Merseyside scouts – alongside those of Arsenal and Newcastle United – observing the Spaniard during a recent victory over Bayern Munich; a sum of €30m (£26m) could be enough to prise him away from Germany with just one year left on his contract.

How good is Dani Olmo?

Liverpool's failure to qualify for the Champions League illuminates the need for change, and Klopp might be inclined to revisit the early success of Philippe Coutinho, who was sold to Barcelona for £146m to catalyse the ensuing illustrious exploits at Anfield.

Coutinho's assist rate of 0.25 per 90 under Klopp demonstrates how effective he was as the German's dynasty took flight, also scoring 37 goals from his 89 outings, hailed as a "genius" by his manager before departing for La Blaugrana.

Olmo, who has now racked up 122 appearances for Leipzig, has been in fine form this season and plundered five goals and ten assists from 17 starts across all competitions during an injury-hit campaign.

The 30-cap maestro ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of assists, the top 24% for progressive passes and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, described as a "magic" midfielder by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The 24-year-old possesses a similarly natural grace, an elegance on the pitch that complements an intellect that ensures he picks out the right pass at the right time, while also knowing the opportune moment to strike the ball himself.

Once dubbed an "outstanding footballer" by Julian Nagelsmann, Olmo is yet to quite reach the crest of the wave but has already exhibited highly promising facets to his game, and would be an exemplary signing for Klopp and co.

When Coutinho plied his trade under the German, Liverpool were chaotic and enthralling, but unbalanced, and while the 22/23 season has been a detrimental setback for the club, requisite moves will be made this summer to steady the ship.

And if the equilibrium can be reinstated before swooping for Olmo and injecting fresh potency into the Anfield centre, the Reds could unearth the formula for an incredible new wave of success.

According to French outlet Telefoot, Tottenham Hotspur are now in negotiations with an unnamed Spanish club over a deal for Tanguy Ndombele, who looks highly likely to leave the Premier League giants this summer.

The Lowdown: Ndombele’s Lyon return

The midfielder first arrived in N17 back in 2019 from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon, for what was at the time a club-record fee of £63m. Aafter a disappointing start to the 2021/22 campaign with the Lilywhites, the 25-year-old rejoined his former club in January for the remainder of the season.

Included as part of that deal was an option to buy, but Peter Bosz’s side have made the decision not to take the offer up, meaning that the maestro has returned to Spurs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he will be staying put.

Before making the switch back to his home nation, it was reported by L’Equipe that whilst Roma and Napoli were interested in the starlet, a move to Spain could well be next on the agenda, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid being viewed as potential future destinations.

The Latest: Unnamed club in negotiations

In a new article published by French outlet Telefoot (via The Mirror), it’s claimed that an ‘unnamed’ Spanish club are ‘already in negotiations’ with Spurs over a possible deal for Ndombele, with a departure from north London seeming ‘imminent’.

The source goes on to state that it is yet ‘unclear’ whether the seven-cap international would be allowed to leave Tottenham on a temporary basis again.

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The Verdict: Time to sell

During his recent short stint with Lyon, Ndombele made 11 appearances in Ligue 1 and provided two assists, as per Transfermarkt, but all in all, it was a disappointing season for the French giants, who only managed to secure an eighth-place finish.

The 5 foot 11 creative, who was once dubbed a “phenomenal” player by former Spurs manager Jose Mourinho, has majorly fallen down the pecking order since Antonio Conte arrived in the capital, having only played 287 minutes of football across all competitions before his loan move, so it comes as no surprise to see that he is likely to leave the club during the upcoming transfer window.

The Italian has already started his summer squad revamp with free transfer moves for Ivan Perisic and presumably soon Fraser Forster, but eventually he’s going to need to splash some cash, and the club must surely be prioritising a permanent deal to get some funds back for Ndombele.

In other news… Conte is reportedly now ready to cash in on a 25 y/o first-team star this summer.

Leeds United could move for Sporting Lisbon’s Gonzalo Plata, according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo. 

The lowdown

Plata spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Real Valladolid in Spain’s second tier, helping them to finish second and win promotion back to La Liga.

The 21-year-old is predominantly a right winger, although he is also capable of playing on the left.

It may be significant that his agency Wasserman also represents Leeds players Crysencio Summerville and Adam Forshaw.

The Whites are seemingly set to finalise their second signing of the summer in Rasmus Kristensen, and Plata may be their next target.

The latest

Real Valladolid, whose club president is Brazil legend and Ballon D’Or winner Ronaldo, would like to sign Plata permanently.

They have the option to do so for €10m (£8.5m) but are hoping they can snap up him for a reduced fee. Sporting have thus far held firm and refused to entertain a cut-price sale.

Leeds are said to be ‘attentive’ to the situation and could see the stand-off as an opportunity to step up their interest in the 21-year-old.

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The verdict

Plata started 23 La Liga 2 games last season, scoring six goals and providing five assists. He found the net or set up a team-mate more than once every two matches (171 minutes, to be precise), a very respectable record.

Even though he is still quite young, he has amassed 27 senior caps for Ecuador and notched nine goal contributions for his nation.

After helping his country reach the semi-finals of the Under-20 World Cup in 2019, he was awarded the tournament’s Bronze Ball.

However, given that he was playing his football in the Spanish second tier in recent months, you’d imagine that he would initially be a rotational option at Leeds rather than a consistent starter.

In other news, read this big Lewis O’Brien transfer claim

The Chronicle journalist Charlie Bennett has revealed what he has now been ‘told’ from Newcastle United in relation to Dean Henderson.

The Lowdown: One to watch

With the Premier League season now completed, transfer rumours are already heating up for the summer, none more so than at St James’ Park.

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One player who has been strongly linked with a move to the northeast recently is Manchester United goalkeeper Henderson, and an update has now been given on that situation.

The Latest: Henderson deal ‘close’

Taking to Twitter, Bennett has revealed that Henderson is ‘keen’ on a move to Tyneside and would ‘prefer’ to sign permanently than on loan. The 25-year-old’s camp believe that a deal is now ‘close’ after meeting representatives of Newcastle in Northumberland last week.

Bennett tweeted: “Understand Dean Henderson is keen on a Newcastle move and has made it known he prefers a permanent transfer to a loan deal.

“Also told player’s camp believe a deal is “close” after meeting club representatives in Northumberland last week.”

The Verdict: Get it done

Given Henderson’s desire to move to the Magpies, and a seemingly positive meeting with their representatives, one would suggest that the Toon shouldn’t have to do too much more to get this deal over the line.

However, given his reputation in the top flight after keeping 13 clean sheets while on loan at Sheffield United in the 2019/20 season, and having played for England at international level, Henderson is likely to be a man in demand this summer.

Therefore, the Newcastle board need to wrap up this deal as soon as possible in order to fend off any other potential suitors.

In other news, Newcastle have now scheduled a meeting over signing this transfer target

Newcastle United reportedly now ‘want’ to sign Jules Kounde in what would be a club-record move this summer.

The Lowdown: January bid

As per Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), the St. James’ Park faithful ‘offered’ Sevilla as much as €70m (£59.3m) to try and sign Kounde in the January transfer window, but a move never materialised.

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That would have been a club-record deal, and now it seems they are going to try their luck again in the summer.

The Latest: Wanted

According to Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), the North East club still ‘want’ to sign Kounde, and are now a ‘rival’ to FC Barcelona for his signature.

However, the La Liga giants cannot afford to pay his €90m (£76.3m) release clause, which could well open the door for the Tynesiders.

The Verdict: Difficult

With teams like Barcelona weighing up a move for Kounde, there is no doubt that he will be a wanted man this summer, and so the Magpies may find it difficult to persuade him to join without any European football to offer.

Dubbed ‘world-class’ by former Tottenham Hotspur and England international goalkeeper Paul Robinson, the France international has played in the UEFA Champions League this season, and will be next term should Sevilla get a point in their last match of the league campaign.

Nonetheless, he is only 23 years of age, and may not feel like a move to the Toon suits him at this stage of his career.

In other news, find out which £36m-rated star NUFC could now sign for free here!

West Ham United have now set a ‘big focus’ on a ‘very smart signing’ for manager David Moyes this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Moyes eyes summer reshuffle…

The Hammers boss, reportedly earmarking the signing of a new central defender, midfielder and striker in the next transfer window, will need substantial backing from club owners GSB.

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Head of recruitment Rob Newman is also tasked with negotiating deals to give Moyes exactly what he wants as the Scotsman aims to maintain West Ham’s status as a high-flying Premier League side.

Reaching the Europa League semi-finals this season represents a big achievement for the east Londoners and symbolises their remarkable rise, coming after they were fighting relegation just two years ago.

Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill is allegedly one man who Moyes believes could make a difference with the Clarets ace emerging as a target.

The Latest: Cudworth makes ‘big’ claim…

According to 90min reporter Toby Cudworth, while West Ham hold an interest in Leicester City playmaker Youri Tielemans, there is a ‘big’ focus on signing Brownhill this summer.

He explained (via Twitter):

“WHUFC are known admirers of Tielemans. Potential asking price of less than £40m will be attractive for many, many clubs… Still, big focus on Burnley’s Josh Brownhill at the moment – he’d be a very smart signing.”

The Verdict: Lodge bid?

The 26-year-old, who currently ranks as one of Burnley’s top five domestic performers going by average match rating, is a real all-rounder in midfield – according to WhoScored.

He has intercepted the second-highest amount of passes in Mike Jackson’s squad over 2021/2022 whilst also coming joint-second in terms of key passes made per 90 in the final third.

Effective defensively and further forward, his potential £15 million price tag seems fairly reasonable – leaving little wonder West Ham have now prioritised him as a target for Moyes.

Going by his value and quality, it appears the east Londoners have very little to lose by lodging a bid.

In other news: Sky Sports: GSB set for ‘powerful’ player move as they also eye ‘fantastic signing’ for West Ham, find out more here.

Sheffield United host Nottingham Forest this afternoon for the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, with both sides hopeful of making it to the Premier League.

The Blades could secure promotion back to the top-flight at the first time of asking after last season’s relegation, whereas Forest haven’t been amongst English football’s elite for 23 years.

Paul Heckingbottom and his players will be particularly cautious that they don’t make a mistake which could cost them the tie after the first leg, but how are the South Yorkshire outfit looking ahead of today’s clash?

Injury news

As per Nottinghamshire Live, Blades captain Billy Sharp is edging closer to a return, with Heckingbottom stating: “Bill’s another few days closer. We’d like him to be (available), if he’s able to play some part in the tie. If he’s not ready, he’s not ready. He is doing all he can and the staff are doing all they can to make sure there is that opportunity.”

Meanwhile, both Morgan Gibbs-White and George Baldock appear to be available, whilst long-term absentees Rhian Brewster, Jayden Bogle, Oli McBurnie and Jack O’Connell all remain sidelined.

Sheffield United predicted XI

After a thumping 4-0 victory over Championship winners Fulham on the final day to secure a play-off spot, whether or not Heckingbottom will make changes to that side for today’s match is up for debate.

Here is how Football FanCast expects the Blades to line up against Nottingham Forest…

Sheffield United XI: Foderingham, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Baldock, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, Berge, Gibbs-White, Ndiaye

With uncertainty as to whether or not Sharp will be fit to make the squad, we don’t expect the striker to be ready to start this afternoon.

The only change from the victory over Fulham comes at right-wing-back, with Baldock taking the place of Ben Osborn.

With the 29-year-old now appearing to be fully fit after only being able to make the bench last weekend, he returns to the starting line-up to make his first appearance in almost a month.

Labelled “superb” by BBC pundit Garth Crooks after a goal against Norwich City in the 2019/20 season, the £23k-per-week Englishman is a kingpin for the Blades and deserves to feature in their biggest match of the season so far.

The decision would arguably be harsh on Osborn, whose last goal for United came in a 3-2 victory at Barnsley in October, a game which the wing-back described as “mad”.

Having gone through the youth ranks at Nottingham Forest and joined the Blades from the Reds, the 27-year-old has had a solid season, making 34 appearances in the Championship.

However, being predominantly a left-sided player, Baldock pips the £2.2m-rated Derby native to a place in the starting lineup now that he is fit.

It’s a crunch game for both sides, who will be looking to get themselves one step closer to Wembley after today’s showdown at Bramall Lane.

AND in other news: This is the Forest predicted XI that FFC is forecasting

TalkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed that Leeds United winger Raphinha will ‘100%’ have his head turned already but trusts him to battle for Premier League survival at Elland Road.

The Lowdown: Interest from Barcelona

The Brazilian still has two years remaining on his current contract with the Whites, but has been the subject of lots of speculation in recent weeks, with his future at Elland Road up the air, consistently linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona.

Jesse Marsch’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal last weekend, a scoreline that has now seen them fall into the drop zone following fellow relegation-battling Everton’s 2-1 victory against Leicester City.

The fixtures aren’t going to get any easier for Leeds as they are set to take on Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea on Wednesday night, and if they do end up making a return to the Championship next season, the club have got to accept that they will be vulnerable to losing some of their star players.

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The Latest: Raphinha’s losing it?

Luke Ayling was sent off for a frankly unprofessional lapse of common sense against the Gunners before Raphinha was booked for his complaints in the aftermath.

And Agbonlahor believes Ayling isn’t the only one losing his cool, as he told Football Insider ahead of Wednesday’s match.

“Raphinha looks like he is losing his head a little bit in games. I think his head has definitely been turned and 100 per cent in his mind he knows he’s leaving.

“But he will want to do his best for Leeds in the Premier League although you can definitely tell his head has been turned.

“It’s looking like a risky situation for Leeds and there’s every chance they go down themselves.”

The Verdict: Pivotal player

If the seven-cap international is to depart Yorkshire this summer, it would come as a huge blow to the American boss considering he’s been such a pivotal player for the club since arriving in a £17m move from Rennes in 2020.

During his two-year spell with Leeds, Raphinha has scored 16 goals and provided 12 assists in just 64 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt, and he is currently the club’s best-rated player to have started at least one game.

If the Whites were to get relegated at the end of May, there’s no doubt that decisions would have to be made surrounding the long-term futures of players at the club, and whilst the hierarchy will surely want to keep their key man, it might be a difficult job trying to deny him the opportunity to go and join the Catalans.

In other news… a journalist has delivered his verdict on the future of one Leeds superstar.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has delivered his verdict on the future of attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho at Aston Villa. 

The lowdown: Star signing

The 29-year-old arrived at Villa Park in January on a short term deal from Barcelona until the end of the season and proved to be an instant hit in the Midlands.

Following a debut goal against Manchester United in a 2-2 draw, Coutinho has taken his tally to four goals and three assists in just 14 Premier League outings.

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Despite a dip in overall form for Villa in recent weeks, manager Steven Gerrard has been backed to pursue a move for the former Liverpool man…

The latest: Robinson endorses summer move

Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Tottenham number one and current BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Robinson backed Villa to sign Coutinho on a permanent basis due to the good personal relationship with the manager.

“Villa have slipped away quietly this season. I was expecting them to finish in the top ten after the impact Steven Gerrard had in his first few weeks. They were playing really well.

“They are a work in progress though. You forget where they were when he took over. I still think he’ll want to sign Coutinho permanently. They have such a good relationship. I can see it happening.

“I think Coutinho, [Ollie] Watkins, John McGinn and Matty Cash will be the players Steven builds the team around next season. I can see them pushing on if they do.

“They have fallen away but I expect a big improvement next year.”

The verdict: Make it happen

Without a goal contribution in six outings, there has been an undoubted drop off since a scintillating introduction to life as a Villan for Coutinho.

However, boasting an impressive trophy cabinet with 11 major accolades from spells at the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, opportunities to sign a player of the 68-cap Brazilian’s calibre don’t present themselves that often.

With a reported option to buy standing at £33million (Sky Sports), the Aston Villa hierarchy should be willing to sanction the permanent move for the skilful forward once described as possessing ‘magical powers’ by Roberto Firmino as Gerrard looks to build a squad ready to challenge the top half of the table next season.

In other news, journalist urges Aston Villa to focus on key position. Read more here.