Lyon President has indicated he might be ready to do a deal with Liverpool for star man Nabil Fekir, but only if the Reds meet the asking price.
Liverpool have received a boost in their pursuit of Lyon star Nabil Fekir as the French Club’s president reportedly has indicated his willingness to do business with the Anfield club over a transfer. According to the Mirror, the Lyon President has conceded defeat in persuading Fekir and will do a deal with Liverpool if the price is right.
The Reds have been in the pursuit of Nabil Fekir since the end of last season and see him as an ideal player to fit into Jurgen Klopp’s ideas for next season. There had been no real breakthrough in the deal, until now as the French club have reportedly conceded that it would be impossible to stop Fekir from leaving as Liverpool occupy pole position for his signature.
Fekir, also a reported Arsenal target, has seemingly set his heart on signing for the Gunners’ Premier League rivals, Liverpool, after Jurgen Klopp’s side showcased their intention and plans for next season with him in the team. Lyon are reportedly asking for around £60 million for the French international, and it has was reported that Liverpool could match that price.
The deal has not had a breakthrough so far because of Lyon President’s insistence on not listening to any offers for his star man. Its been reported that President Jean-Michel Aulas was looking forward to Fekir’s performances at the World Cup as a good tournament for him with France would automatically help in driving the price further up.
But with the player reportedly insisting on leaving the club only for Liverpool, has forced Aulas’ hand in the deal. Now the President has conceded a possible bidding war for the star attacker and will seemingly accept his departure to Liverpool, but only if the Reds match his asking price.
After making their record sale last season with the transfer of Alexandre Lacazette to Arsenal, Aulas will be looking to bank more than the price the Gunners paid. The 24-year old Fekir had a magnificent season with Lyon scoring 23-goals and laying down 8-assists in all competitions, making him one of Europe’s hot property.
Liverpool, on the other hand, haven’t replaced Philippe Coutinho who departed for Barcelona in the January window. With Klopp looking to streamline his attack well for next season, wants to add a player who can take up the No.10 position as well as provide competitions in more advanced areas, and Fekir fits the bill perfectly.
Fekir displayed his skillset in the No.10 role as well as excelling in the role that Roberto Firmino currently occupies at Liverpool. This necessarily does not mean Firmino’s position is under threat, but Klopp wants more variety in attack, before other teams figure out a plan to stop Liverpool next season.
The Champions League final made Klopp realise the lack of genuine depth of attackers in his squad after Mohamed Salah was forced off injured in the first half. So ideally the German views Fekir as the player to fill that void and add to Liverpool’s quest to become a free-flowing attacking unit.
