Man Utd sale could impact Liverpool completing Khephren Thuram signing as takeover doubts continue

The ongoing Manchester United takeover process could impact Liverpool in their attempts to sign Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram.

The Reds have been linked with a move for the 22-year-old France international in recent weeks as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his midfield.

The Reds have opened preliminary talks with Nice over signing the midfielder, according to Sky Sports.

In the short-term future, Thuram will feature for France's U21 side in the upcoming U21 European Championship. He has been joined in the squad by Borussia Monchengladbach star Manu Kone, whom Liverpool are also interested in.

Thuram joined Nice from Monaco in 2019, having failed to make a Ligue 1 appearance in the principality.

He has been an almost ever-present for Didier Digard's side this season, scoring two goals and providing four assists in 35 league games.

• Who is Khephren Thuram? All you need to know about Liverpool's latest transfer target

A move to Liverpool, however, may not be completely straightforward.

Why Thuram move to Liverpool could be impacted

Nice owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his petrochemicals company, INEOS.

Ratcliffe, of course, has been a name commonly associated with Manchester United in recent months, as he is attempting to purchase a majority stake in the club from the Glazer family.

However, according to French outlet L'Equipe, Ratcliffe and INEOS' involvement in the takeover process at Old Trafford is having an impact on Nice.

Specifically, it is said that the French club's transfer budget could be reduced if Ratcliffe is successful in his attempts to acquire a majority stake in United, with their transfer business already affected due to his involvement in the process.

The report claims that the club needs compensation and sufficient investment in order to sign "high-quality replacements".

This could aid Liverpool in their pursuit of the midfielder. L'Equipe (via Liverpool Echo) have previously reported that Nice want a fee of £51.4 million for Thuram - but the Reds could convince them to reduce the asking price if the French club desperately need the funds.

But there may be another complication. According to The Athletic, it has been 'proposed in the industry' that Ratcliffe has decided he would sell Nice if he is successful in buying United - which could delay Liverpool's move for Thuram.