Lyon star Nabil Fekir has this morning discussed the collapse of his proposed transfer to Premier League giants Liverpool this summer, revealing that he now views the saga as ‘ancient history’.
Heavyweights target Fekir
Fekir, a versatile attacker/midfielder who can play anywhere across the frontline or in an attacking midfield role, first broke into the first-team ranks of Lyon in 2013, having come up through the club’s youth system.
And the gifted left-footer has since gone on to establish himself as the most highly-regarded talent on the books of the Ligue 1 giants, with his performances last season in particular known to have caught the eye of a number of European football’s biggest clubs.
In the end, despite links with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid, Liverpool emerged as the clear favourites to actually clinch a deal for Fekir back in June, with photos having even emerged of an apparent interview carried out between the Frenchman and the Reds’ official in-house TV channel, LFC TV
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 28: Nabil Fekir shoots a free kick at goal of France and of Ireland during the International Friendly match between France and Ireland at Stade de France on May 28, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
‘These are things that happen’
In the end, though, despite it having been viewed as more of a case of when, rather than if Fekir’s switch to Anfield would be made official, negotiations between Liverpool and Lyon collapsed at the last-minute, after an apparent ‘transfer fee change’ on the part of the former left the French outfit seething.
As such, Fekir has been left to rue his latest missed opportunity at securing a move to a top European club, a fact which Lyon boss Bruno Genesio revealed earlier this week had not been easy for the attacker to come to terms with.
However, speaking to reporters earlier this morning, Fekir himself was drawn on the collapse of his proposed switch to Merseyside, with the Lyon captain having painted a different picture regarding his mindset, in suggesting that he has fully moved on and is now focused solely on matters at the Groupama Stadium:
‘Yes, the missed transfer to Liverpool is totally digested. These are things that happen. It’s like that. We must advance. It’s ancient history.’
‘I heard several things. The real reason is that they (Liverpool) only know it.’
‘There is a good season ahead with Lyon and we must prepare quietly.’
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