After spending significantly on Alexandre Lacazette last summer, Arsene Wenger is ready to raid Lyon for attacker Nabil Fekir.
According to The Mirror, Arsenal are preparing an audacious £45 million bid for Lyon’s star man Nabil Fekir in the summer. Arsene Wenger had identified the France international as the ideal attacker to improve Arsenal’s squad massively and give a new edge to the Gunners in the Premier League and Europe.
Arsenal have endured a difficult season so far, with contractual situations taking the front seat as football suffered. Arsenal were thus, unable to compete for significant honours this season and the Europa League is the only viable competition left which the Gunners are still running for.
Now that all the other off-field problems are behind the team, Arsene Wenger has chosen to identify targets early on, and Nabil Fekir sits high on his agenda. As Arsene Wenger reportedly intends to honour his current contract and stay for next season too, he would like to leave players behind with an eye on the future.
Fekir’s agent recently suggested the player might have come to a point where he has to leave for another top club, stating, ‘If at the end of the season, and this is not the case today, there was a decision to be made, then we would sit down with President Aulas, and we would find the right solution.’
He continued, ‘You know very well that at some point, we may be able to ask questions about a departure. The decision will be taken in all intelligence, as professionals, and especially in the interests of all parties.’
But the agent also stressed on having a healthy and positive departure from Lyon when the time comes.
Nabil Fekir has been in inspirational form this season, netting 16 goals in Ligue 1 alone, with five assists to his name. His performances have earned him praise from many quarters. Earlier this year, there were reports of Arsenal’s interest in the player, but from then till now nothing has materialised.
It is understood that Arsene Wenger is ready to launch a £45 million bid for the Lyon attacker, although this could be considered only as an opening offer, as Lyon will undoubtedly seek more in transfer fees. Barcelona are also believed to be tracking the player’s development, but whether they will make an offer remains a question after their recent outlay on attacking players.
Arsene Wenger will be cautious in the market and knows a player of Fekir’s quality could garner more interest from big clubs, mainly from England. In Arsenal’s interest, Wenger will likely be looking to wrap the deal early on, preferably before the World Cup.
Fekir was not selected by France coach Didier Deschamps for the recent round of friendlies, but there is a chance of him going to the World Cup in June. Wenger undoubtedly knows, the price of such a player, depending on his World Cup performances could shoot up, and such a scenario is best avoided.
Fekir would undoubtedly fit the bill at Arsenal and will further cover up the attacking deficiency left after the recent sale of Alexis Sanchez. Fekir’s game has a right balance of goals and creativity, which will help certainly what Arsenal would want.
