Fekir Deal is Dead, According to McManaman

The former Liverpool star expects Klopp to move on to other transfer targets.

I’m so sorry for this, Audun.

We might never really find out exactly what unfolded during the 48 hours or so, when the deal to bring Nabil Fekir from Lyon to Liverpool went from near-certainty to off, completely.

Reports from the most reliable journalists immediately after the breakdown in negotiations were never especially promising, with only Chris Bascombe stating that there was a slim chance of a move post-World Cup.

Now, former Liverpool player and current commentator Steve McManaman would not be considered a go-to journalist, certainly not in the same category of the Bascombes and Mel Reddys of the world. Regardless, he is of the opinion that the deal is completely off.

“The Fekir transfer I think was going to happen and it hasn’t happened, but I don’t think it’s a big problem to be honest,” McManaman told The Express in an interview.

”I think they found a reason not to do the deal and they’ll move on to other targets.

”I think it looks as if it’s over to be honest. From what I’ve heard I think it’s over.”

While McManaman is not generally the journalist to break Liverpool-related stories, he certainly still has some connections at the club. It seems reasonable to assume that McManaman could have picked up on some of this backroom chatter surrounding the Fekir deal (or in this case, no deal).

With the whole world turning its attention to the World Cup, the Fekir “plan B” probably won’t come into focus for a few weeks (unless transfer team pulls off another ninja Fabinho-like deal).

This might not be a definitive “final nail in the coffin” for Fekir’s Anfield hopes, but it points to that final nail not being too far away.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com