NABIL FEKIR during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 game between Lyon and Villareal - First Round (Photo Stephane GUIOCHON/Maxppp/PA Images)

Nabil Fekir not expected for imminent medical but Liverpool still keen on signing

Reports from France had suggested Nabil Fekir was on the brink of becoming the Reds’ second signing of the summer, but fans will have to wait a little longer.

With Fabinho already signed up and Naby Keita‘s move from RB Leipzig agreed a year ago, Jurgen Klopp‘s latest renewal of the team is starting to take shape.

More work remains though, with at least one forward player coming in, a goalkeeper probable and Fekir an oft-mentioned attacking option.

While few transfers are ever straightforward and without delays, most reports over the last few weeks have suggested Fekir to Liverpool is a matter of when, not if.

Nabil Fekir

18 NABIL FEKIR (ol) - JOIE FOOTBALL : Lyon vs Marseille - Ligue 1 Conforama - 17/12/2017 FEP/Panoramic.

Position: Attacking midfield / forward
Nationality: French
Age: 24
Potential fee: £60m
First reported by: French media
Also reported by: Locals and nationals

Most recently, French journalist Romain Collet-Gaudin had suggested that Fekir would be travelling to Merseyside on Sunday for a medical.

That appears to be wide of the mark, with the Echo countering that claim by saying the Reds have informed them that the deal is not on the brink of being completed.

Even so, it’s almost an admission of interest: there is no “we’re not interested” coming from Liverpool’s end, rather pointing out that the transfer isn’t done.

Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid are noted as other interested parties, but Fekir’s agent recently said there had been no contact with the German club.

The Reds are expected to fork out around £60 million for Fekir, which—added to Fabinho and Keita’s arrivals—would take spending past the £150m mark for the summer already.

PARIS, FRANCE - Friday, November 10, 2017: Wales' James Chester and France's Nabil Fekir during the international friendly match between France and Wales at the Stade de France. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Ironically, Fekir could next be in action in his home stadium; France’s final warm-up match before the World Cup begins is against United States at the Groupama Stadium, Lyon’s ground.

He didn’t feature against Italy on Thursday, making his involvement more likely against USA.

That match takes place on Saturday, June 9, with one week between that fixture and France’s World Cup opener against Australia.

The Reds are widely reported to want to tie up the deal before the finals begin and it could be a poetic departure for Fekir if his last match before a transfer were to be on home soil.

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