Khephren Thuram urged to move to Liverpool by Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is keen for Khephren Thuram to move to Anfield this summer and has pledged to help his friend continue his development.

Despite signing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton in a deal Mail Sport understands to be worth £35million, Jurgen Klopp is keen on further strengthening his midfield.

Thuram - the son of France great Lilian - has been heavily linked in recent weeks, although his club, Nice, are unlikely to want to part with their prized asset.

A fee of around £52m has also been touted, although Anfield figures are open to investing after a mixed season last time out saw them miss out on the top four.

Clearly, Konate is desperate for Thuram to join him on Merseyside, with the centre back describing his compatriot as a 'little brother' he would 'take under his wing'.

'I would be very happy for him [Thuram] to come to Liverpool and I would take him under my wing and I would do everything for him to progress and become the player he wants to become,' Konate told RMC Sport.

'Khephren is like my little brother, he's someone I saw growing up. I was with his big brother [France international Marcus] in the training centre, but I saw him grow.

'I saw him perform and progress at a level… it was incredible.

'Even when he came to the France team for his first selection. I saw him at the training and I was really surprised by his size and his technical ease.'

Despite Thuram being just 22, Konate believes his relative inexperience on the biggest stages will not hinder any potential success with Liverpool.

Pointing to his own example, he added: 'When I was in Leipzig and I signed for Liverpool, many people said that it was too early, that it was not the right choice.

'In the end, I proved all these people wrong so you shouldn't listen to people.

'If Khephren has the opportunity to come to a club like Liverpool, I think he will be surprised the enthusiasm that will come behind him.

'It's up to him to work. He's still very young but he has an incredible margin for improvement so I'm confident.'

Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone is also on Liverpool's shortlist, though Aston Villa and Wolves have now joined the race for his signature.