Fresh Fekir Update: Liverpool Still Expect To Seal £53m Deal Despite Lyon Denial

The summer transfer window is open and managers are working hard on their transfer targets so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, the latest on Nabil Fekir to Liverpool…..

Liverpool still expect to complete the £53m signing of Nabil Fekir today despite Lyon denying a deal has been agreed for the playmaker, according to the Guardian.

Fekir has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks after Jurgen Klopp identified the French international as a prime summer transfer target.

Klopp is looking to finally fill the void left behind by Philippe Coutinho following his move to Barcelona in January and Fekir caught the eye after providing 23 goals and 8 assists last season.

Widespread reports over the past week have suggested Liverpool have been trying to thrash out a deal with Lyon after Fekir made it clear his heart was set on a move to Anfield.

It looked like a deal was done as several reports on Thursday night claimed that the 24-year-old was on the verge of joining Liverpool after a breakthrough in negotiations.

Lyon appeared to dismiss those rumours after released a formal statement on Twitter this morning denying that an agreement had been reached for Fekir to sign for Liverpool.

The statement on Twitter read:

“The information on the transfer of Nabil Faulkner is false. Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies the false information disseminated by many media about the transfer of Nabil Fekir to the Liverpool club.

“In this period of transfers where the slightest rumour is often presented as a reality, Olympique Lyonnais recalls that only the information disseminated by the club on its website is authentic.”

However, the Guardian claim that despite these denials, Liverpool chiefs have confirmed they still expect to complete the signing of Fekir today after agreeing to meet Lyon’s £53m asking price – which breaks down as £48.3m up front and a further £4.7m in add ons.

The newspaper says Fekir is due to undergo his medical at Clairefontaine, the France national team’s training base, today before signing his contract and becoming Liverpool’s third major signing of the summer.

It’s certainly a fascinating situation and it’s going to be interesting to see how things progress over the next 24 hours. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is notoriously difficult to deal with so their statement is probably nothing more than a negotiating tactic.

A deal in principal may have been agreed but the two clubs could still be haggling over the minor details and Lyon have released their statement to put the pressure on Liverpool to meet their demands.

MORE–> Liverpool join chase to sign £35m defender

Let’s see what happens over the coming hours but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Fekir complete his move to Anfield before the start of the World Cup and he’s set to form a new-look midfield alongside fellow new recruits Naby Keita and Fabinho next season.