Liverpool targets Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram spotted together as 'contact made' over transfers

Liverpool transfer targets Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone have been spotted together as speculation mounts over their futures.

Liverpool have reportedly opened talks to sign Thuram from French club Nice and Kone from German side Borussia Monchengladbach this summer.

The Reds are expected to complete a deal to sign Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for around £45m in the coming days.

And they have set their sights on further midfield signings, with Thuram - the son of legendary France international Lilian Thuram - and Kone high on their list of targets.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Tuesday that Liverpool have been in 'direct contact' with the pair's respective agents 'this week'.

"Internal discussion taking place over official proposals. Liverpool asked for some time to close in on Mac Allister deal then decide on new midfielders," added Romano.

Thuram and Kone spotted together

Thuram and Kone know each other well, having played youth football together for Paris club AC Boulogne-Billancourt and later in the same French U21 side.

The pair were filmed together on Tuesday by Thuram's older brother, Marcus, who posted a video of the pair to his Instagram story.

The elder Thuram plays alongside Kone at Borussia Monchengladbach but is expected to leave on a free transfer this summer.

In the clip, Kone is filmed chatting to Thuram in the street.

The pair have previously spoken about their close relationship.

Speaking to French TV earlier this year, Kone said: "Khephren is a brother by blood."

"He is my football pal. Before the selections, we were always together," he added.

Kone was responding to a video in which Thuram congratulated him on his progress as a professional.

Will Liverpool sign both Thuram and Kone?

According to L'Equipe, Liverpool are preparing an offer for Thuram, with Nice willing to let him go if an asking price of €40m (£34.5m) is met.

It comes after the midfielder fuelled speculation he could be on his way to Anfield this summer after 'liking' a post on Instagram about Mac Allister's deal to join the Reds.

Meanwhile, German outlet Bild claim Liverpool have enquired about Kone, with Monchengladbach willing to part ways with the 22-year-old for a fee of between €40m and €45m (£38.7m)

Whether Liverpool want to sign both players, or will even be able to afford to do so, remains to be seen.