23-year-old midfielder linked with Newcastle has changed agent - could be on the move this summer

When a player changes agent it usually signifies a change in direction for their career, so when a player who was linked with Newcastle United brings in new representation, it could mean they're becoming available.

Last summer Newcastle United were linked with Khephren and Marcus Thuram many times but while the former stayed put at OGC Nice, the latter moved from Borussia Monchengladbach to Inter Milan.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has reported via X that Khephren Thuram has joined Sport Cover, the same agency that represents his brother, Marcus.

This could mean that the younger, Thuram brother, who turned 23 today, could be looking for a move at the end of this season.

Newcastle and Liverpool wanted Khephren Thuram last summer

Newcastle and Liverpool were both very interested in Khephren Thuram last summer, but the France international opted to remain at Nice despite acknowledging the interest from the Premier League as reported by Football365 last year.

“Regarding what happened in the transfer window, I decided to stay. I wanted to continue to progress at Nice, and progress as a player at this club. Honestly, it made me happy to be linked to all these clubs left, right and centre.

“It shows I’m doing the right things. But, as I said, I knew I wanted to stay here.”

Thruam has made 22 appearances for Nice this season but has had a couple of injury problems, one of which saw him miss three league games in December. Nice are currently fifth in Ligue 1 and are on course for a better season than last year when they finished ninth, failing to qualify for Europe.

Could Newcastle pick up Thuram for £55million but at the expense of Joelinton?

Last summer, Thuram was valued at £55million last summer, and given that his Nice contract will only have a year to run at the end of the season, that same amount could be enough to persuade the French side to allow him to leave.

As a battling midfielder, he could be the answer to our midfield problems. Since Joelinton picked up his injury, nobody in the midfield has managed to bridge the gap between the centre of the park and the defence, meaning our backline have been overly exposed and that's shown by the number of goals conceded of late.

There's still that fear that Joelinton fails to agree terms with the club and could be sold in the summer, which would make a move for Thuram very appealing.