French outfit Lyon have confirmed that they have ended negotiations with Liverpool regarding the proposed transfer of Nabil Fekir. The France international was widely expected to join the Reds following a medical and a leaked introductory video but in a surprise change of events, the move has now been cancelled.
“Olympique Lyonnais informs that the tripartite negotiations with the Liverpool club and Nabil Fekir for the transfer of the captain of OL have not succeeded and that Olympique Lyonnais has decided to put an end to this negotiation tonight at 20:00. Although the club Liverpool has been the priority of a possible transfer of Nabil, and subject to other proposals consistent with the interest of Nabil and OL and from ambitious clubs, Olympique Lyonnais is delighted soon to be able to count on the presence of his captain who is a leading rookie for this season 2018/2019 during which the club will play the Champions League being in the 3rd hat of the draw,” the statement read.
The Merseyside giants had been on the cusp of announcing a £53m agreement for the Lyon captain but the medical team are said to have generated doubts over the player’s injury concerns. Fekir has had struggles with his right knee over the past few seasons and this supposedly urged the Reds to lower their transfer fee which did not go well with the Les Gones’ hierarchy.
Nevertheless, there are reports suggesting that Liverpool could come after Fekir following the summer World Cup with the attacker said to have been keen over the move. Jurgen Klopp’s side had a similar situation with Southampton over Virgil van Dijk last summer but they eventually managed to sign the Dutchman from the Saints in six months’ time. Liverpool have already sealed the services of Fabinho from AS Monaco this summer whilst Naby Keita is also expected to join the club officially after they reached a pre-agreement with RB Leipzig last year.