Various news outlets are reporting that Liverpool have reached an agreement for Lyon midfielder Nabil Fekir. Liverpool have been tracking the French playmaker for some time but Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas scotched the suggestion earlier today that the 24-year-old would leave the Ligue 1 side before the World Cup:
His case is at a standstill. It has not at all advanced. The case won’t certainly be resolved during the World Cup and I do not think that there will be changes before (the WC).
Despite this French outlet L'Equipe are reporting that the two clubs have reached an agreement, believed to be in the region of £50 million:
Accord entre Lyon et Liverpool pour Nabil Fekir https://t.co/SYUw0mENgp pic.twitter.com/mdlf5qkgch
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) June 7, 2018
The Time's football correspondent Paul Joyce has confirmed that Fekir will cost an initial £48.4 million with a further £4.4 million in bonuses:
Liverpool to seal Nabir Fekir deal on Friday. Initial £48.4million plus a further £4.4million in bonuses.
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) June 7, 2018
The Liverpool Echo are also reporting that Liverpool are closing in on the signature for Fekir, who has scored 57 goals in 153 appearances for Lyon during his career.
Fekir's arrival will bring some much needed depth to Liverpool's midfield, and is seen as the perfect replacement for Philipe Coutinho, who transferred to Barcelona in January.
Should Fekir arrive, it will mark Liverpool's second signing of the season following Brazilian defensive midfielder Fabinho who moved from Monaco for £43.7 million a week ago. The club have also been reported as having in an interest in Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker as well as Xherdan Shaqiri, who was relegated with Stoke at the end of last season.
