Liverpool target Nabil Fekir indicated he had played his last game from Lyon on Saturday, with French press claiming a deal is “99 percent” complete.
Fekir emerged as a realistic signing for the Reds at the start of May, with both Canal+ and RMC Sport reporting that a £62 million fee had been agreed with his current club.
The deal was expected to include the attacking midfielder’s younger brother, Yassin, though speculation was dampened by Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas and Liverpool-based journalists.
But as the season drew to its conclusion this weekend as Lyon took on OGC Nice battling for third, manager Bruno Genesio suggested this could be Fekir’s farewell outing.
And during a thrilling 3-2 victory that saw Lyon clinch their place in next season’s Champions League through a Memphis Depay hat-trick, it was mentioned that Fekir’s switch is “99 percent” done.
Furthermore, speaking after the game to Canal+, the 24-year-old was certainly open to the prospect of leaving the club where he has spent his entire senior career.
“I do not know [what will happen], frankly. I spent an exceptional season here, with an audience, players, an exceptional staff, a lot of emotions and tonight we finished in style,” he said.
“I gave everything for Lyon, we’ll see for the future. Even if all was not perfect this season, we finished well.
“It’s been four years since I’ve been pro and it’s one of my greatest joys [to finish third].”
Fekir played 84 minutes at Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Saturday night, laying on Depay’s first goal to cancel out Alassane Plea’s opener, bringing his season’s tally to 23 goals and eight assists.
He was forced off in the closing stages through injury however, leaving the field in tears as he applauded the Lyon support in another hint that he could depart this summer.
The transfer window is now open in England, but Liverpool are unlikely to conclude any deals until after the Champions League final on May 26.
But with the World Cup beginning on June 14, and players embarking on international duty shortly after the final in Kiev, Jurgen Klopp will no doubt be eager to get his signings wrapped up early.
Fekir was named as part of Didier Deschamps’ 23-man France squad for the tournament in Russia, with their first warmup friendly coming on May 28, at home to the Republic of Ireland.
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