Liverpool are reportedly stepping up their efforts to secure the signing of Nabil Fekir from Lyon as they look to make the most of their Champions League run.
It is understood that the Reds are willing to pay in excess of £60million for the France international and hope to wrap up a deal before the start of the World Cup.
Lyon are reluctant to sell the attacking midfielder, who scored 22 goals in all competitions for the Ligue 1 side last season, but Fekir is reportedly refusing to rule out a move away.
The Reds have already wrapped up a deal for RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita, who will join the club in July after a £48million deal was agreed for the Guinea international last summer.
But the acquisition of Fekir could make Liverpool even more devastating going forward.
It could also see a new and possibily improved version of their ‘Fab Four’ restored after Philippe Coutinho broke up the band when he left Merseyside for Barcelona in January.
But what do we know about Fekir?
Here, talkSPORT profiles the 24-year-old who could be brought into fill the Coutinho-shaped hole at Liverpool
Full name: Nabil Fekir
Date of birth: 18 July, 1993
Birthplace: Lyon
Position: Attacking midfielder
Highlights:
What’s his career been like so far?
Aged 13, Fekir was actually released from Lyon’s academy after the club concluded he wasn’t good enough. He then joined nearby club FC Vaulx but returned to Lyon two years later.
Fekir broke into the Lyon first team aged 19 and become a regular starter a year later. His breakthrough season came in the 2014/15 campaign, where he forged a good partnership with Alexandre Lacazette.
The attacker then sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury but made a stedy recovery.
Fekir was made captain of the Ligue 1 club in August 2017 and then went on to enjoy his most successful season with the club. He has ten international appearances with France.
What are his strengths and weaknesses?
His knee is likely to never be truly the same after sustaining the ACL knock so there may be a concern he could be susceptible to further injuries.
However, Fekir’s strengths suggest he is more than capable of becoming a good player for Liverpool.
He is a strong dribbler, with a great deal of pace and has a powerful left foot.
How would he fit in at Liverpool?
It is thought Fekir could slot into the no.10 role previously occupied by Coutinho, especially with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain likely to be out until November.
The Frenchman could also play anywhere across the front three, according to French journalist Jacques Santucci, should Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino be unavailable to play at any point.
