This could tip them over the edge
Canal+ and RMC Sport have reported that Olympique Lyonnais’ captain and talisman Nabil Fekir will be moving to Anfield this summer as Jurgen Klopp continues to build a title-challenging team.
The transfer fee is believed to be in the region of £62 million and means that even with the current campaign still ongoing, and the small matter of a Champions League final to contest, Liverpool will have two huge signings locked in ahead of next season.
BREAKING: Liverpool have reached a €70m agreement with Lyon for Nabil Fékir, including bonuses. (RMC)
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) May 6, 2018
Naby Keita was signed from Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig for close to £60 million last summer and will move clubs at the end of the season. If Fekir does indeed join him it will mean Klopp has the first-team quality – as well as greater strength in depth – to mount a serious title challenge against Guardiola’s rampant City side.
Fekir plays best as a classic 10, but can also occupy Firmino’s false nine position or in either of the inside forward spots currently occupied by Sadio Mane and Mo Salah. Squeezing all four players into the same attacking lineup though, along with the direct running of Keita from midfield, could well be Klopp’s intention as he looks to push his gung-ho playing style even further.
Finishing in the top four could well be a decisive factor in the move and Champions League qualification for Liverpool is still hanging in the balance after Sunday’s narrow defeat to Chelsea, leaving next Sunday’s home game against Brighton a must-win if they are to avoid slipping into the Europa League spots.
Supporters will be pleased to hear that former fan-favourite Gerard Houllier has played an important role in steering the gifted playmaker from one of his former clubs to the other whilst performing as an advisor to the Lyon president, Jean-Michel Aulas.
