Liverpool fans are enjoying a dream summer. The Reds have brought in Naby Keita, Fabinho, Shaqiri and Alisson Becker, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper. The last piece of the jigsaw, signing an attacking midfielder, was supposed to have been filled before the World Cup started in June. Lyon captain Nabil Fekir had been identified as Klopp’s priority target to replace Philippe Coutinho. A new No. 10 would help inject more creativity into a midfield that struggled to break open deep sitting sides and ease some pressure off the attacking trio of Mane, Firmino and Salah.
Liverpool and Lyon had agreed on a £48.4million deal to bring the playmaker to Anfield. Terms with the player had been agreed and the club channel even filmed his unveiling before the plug was pulled after his medical. There were claims that Liverpool had tried to renegotiate the payment structure in line with the findings of the medical. Lyon quickly released a statement announcing that talks with Liverpool had not been successful but there was still a glimmer of hope the deal wasn’t dead in the water, yet.
The 25 year-old World Cup winner smiled and nodded when fans called out to him about Liverpool as he walked through an airport in Russia. This gave fans hope that the deal could be revived. However, a series of events both in France and Merseyside suggest otherwise.
Sadio Mane has taken the No. 10 jersey that was supposedly reserved for Fekir. The Senegalese international wore the No. 10 jersey in his final year at RB Salzburg before moving to Southampton. He also wears the No. 10 shirt in the Senegal national team. Mane reported back for pre-season training alongside Mo Salah and Marko Grujic ahead of Liverpool’s USA tour. The trio enjoyed an extended holiday following their involvement in the World Cup. The scorer of Liverpool’s Champions League finals consolation goal, who is expected to sign a new long term deal after Firmino and Salah, ditched his No. 19 jersey and will wear No. 10 heading into next season.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp publicly admitted he does not expect any further movement. Following a 2-0 friendly win against Blackburn at Ewood Park, Klopp had the following to say;
"We have everything we need for the next season because I don’t think we will do anything more, I’m pretty sure of that,"
The latest and perhaps the clearest indication has come from the Ligue 1 side. Fekir, who could have been lining up for Liverpool against West Ham on August 12, is now scheduled to be paraded as a World Cup winner in Lyon instead. A statement from Lyon read: "Nabil Fekir will be presented with the trophy of the World Cup for his return to @GroupamaStadium the Sunday 12 August on the occasion of the 1st day of the Ligue 1 and the reception of Amiens at 3pm!"
Sorry Liverpool fans, this is one looks very unlikely now. He won’t be signing, at least not this summer.
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