Lyon unsubtly hint at Fekir stay

Lyon have expressed their confidence that Nabil Fekir will remain at the club by scheduling a World Cup trophy presentation for the Frenchman ahead of their first game of the season.

Fekir was restricted to largely ineffectual cameos from the substitutes’ bench in Russia as France recorded their second World Cup triumph.

Before joining up with his France team-mates, Fekir was extremely close to signing for Liverpool. He had even conducted an introductory interview with LFCTV in the club’s training gear.

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KAZAN, RUSSIA – JUNE 16: Bert van Marwijk, Head coach of Australia looks on while Olivier Giroud and Nabil Fekir get ready to enter during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between France and Australia at Kazan Arena on June 16, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

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But the deal collapsed when seemingly complete, with the Reds pulling out over supposed injury concerns.

There has been some hope, generated by French sources, that the deal could be resurrected given the player’s clear desire to link up with Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Lyon, though, are confident the 25-year-old will stay put and have even organised a ceremony prior to their season-opener against Amiens (three days after the Premier League transfer window slams shut) which will see Fekir presented with the Jules Rimet.

Lyon announce that captain Nabil Fékir will be presented with the World Cup trophy at their stadium on the 12th August ahead of the 1st Ligue 1 game of the season vs Amiens.

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) July 19, 2018

British sources have intimated that the record deal for goalkeeper Alisson will mark the end of Liverpool’s summer business.

But with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out for the entirety of the 2018/19 season, the Reds may feel a need to add a versatile attacking midfielder to their ranks and Fekir has clearly been identified as the man for the job.

The club are expected to face a difficult task if indeed they do attempt to renegotiate the deal with Lyon increasingly sure, in the public domain at least, their skipper will lead them into next season’s Champions League.

The post Lyon unsubtly hint at Fekir stay appeared first on AnfieldHQ.

Source: anfieldhq.com