Roma are eyeing a move for Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram as a retaliatory option in an escalating transfer battle, with any approach contingent on selling Manu Koné to Manchester United for €60m, according to Sport Mediaset.
The backdrop is Juventus pursuing Zeki Celik and then setting their sights on Lorenzo Pellegrini, while the Giallorossi could respond by targeting Thuram. Celik had been on the verge of signing a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico, but he instead completed a surprise move to Turin. Now, per the same report via Football Italia, Juventus are also pursuing Lorenzo Pellegrini – another free agent negotiating for a new agreement – with the clear intent of continuing their moves against Roma in the same window.
Roma’s response, should it materialise, centres on the Koné sale. The reported €60m figure from Manchester United sits at the core of the conditionality: if Roma can sell Koné for that fee, it would leave them able to move for Thuram.
Juve-Roma Tensions Deepen Amid Transfer Raids
The Celik episode had already come as a shock to Roma. A Pellegrini departure to Juventus – should it happen – would see that transfer battle set to continue with an approach for the midfielder.
How realistic the Thuram counter-move is depends on whether Roma can sell Koné for the €60m figure. It is Khephren Thuram, the Juventus midfielder, at the centre of Roma’s planning here.
