Khéphren Thuram ought to guide Liverpool to the ‘Moneyball’ jewel ideal for FSG transfer strategy.

Liverpool are interested in Khéphren Thuram this summer, but another up-and-coming Ligue 1 star could attract the attention of Jürgen Klopp in Lorient’s Enzo Le Fée.

The summer transfer market is already starting to heat up in Merseyside, with Liverpool ready for moves for a slew of players from across Europe. It remains to be seen who will target Jürgen Klopp in the coming weeks, but a new name has emerged in recent days.

According to French publication L’Equipe – via Sport Witness – the Reds are “eager” to sign Khéphren Thuram, currently under contract at OGC Nice. The 22-year-old midfielder has had an encouraging season at home and now looks set to make the Liverpool shortlist.

Klopp is desperate for new midfielders at Anfield, especially considering James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will all leave the club this summer. Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch have also been linked with Liverpool, but Thuram is the latest name to emerge.

The Italian-born talent has gradually established itself as a physical and up-and-coming pillar on the French Riviera. He is approximately 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) tall and is also an avid dribbler and ball carrier from center park. He has started in 30 of a possible 37 matches in Ligue 1 this season.

Merseyside fans seem thrilled by the news that Liverpool are linked to Thuram, but it can be nothing more than a smokescreen of sorts.

If the Reds follow the French high flight this season – as the connections with Thuram suggest – another midfielder would have obtained a place on the Klopp radar.

A fascinating player named Enzo the fairy has just as much Ligue 1 illuminated in the last 12 months – if not more than Thuram. It was used in the middle of the Lorient field, started 34 games and paintings as a real “money”.

The fairy is perhaps the kind of player who tends to derive under the radar in the world of scouting, but after having used figures on his services, he becomes clear how much he does on the field. The 23-year-old looks like a very busy player in the data and who could be undervalued.

Fenway Sports Group brought success to the Boston Red Sox for the first time using evidence-based methods.

The US consortium has also transformed Liverpool by applying data to gain an advantage, with Le Fée looking like the kind of diamond in the rough that might appear behind the scenes of Klopp’s recruiting team.

He offers a lot of value on the ball, but also plays his part on the defensive side of the game.

This season, Le Fée leads the division in successful dribbling by midfielders – just four behind superstar Kylian Mbappé – and also ranks ninth among midfielders in progressive passing and sixth in tackling and interceptions.

The Frenchman is small in stature, only 1.7m taller than Thuram, but his size doesn’t seem to affect his effectiveness on the pitch.

He has a contract that expires in two years, which could make him joinable this summer, and his wage demands are likely to be low given he currently earns very little compared to Premier League terms.

Bournemouth attempted to enlist his services during the winter transfer window, but Le Fée turned down the opportunity and opted for something bigger. “I know that these last few months are also very important if I want to go to a big club.

I am someone who likes challenges and also risks.

I want to show that I am capable of developing at the highest level”, he said of L’Equipe earlier this season.

It’s debatable how big the move could be this summer, but based on his performance this season, it’s at least worth watching. With Thuram on Liverpool’s agenda, Le Fée could be next.