Lyon Release Statement Ending Negotiations With Liverpool For Fekir

A sensational last-minute collapse has occurred regarding the saga of Nabil Fekir.

For all intents and purposes, Fekir’s move to Liverpool looked to be a done deal as recently as yesterday.

His current club Lyon called reports of the transfer yesterday ‘fake news’, a call which today was refuted by the president of the French football federation (FFF), Nool Le Graet, who said: “Nabil Fekir is in the process of being transferred.”

Now just hours later, Lyon have pulled the plug on the deal in an extraordinary statement on their official website.

“Olympique Lyonnais have announced that the tripartite negotiations conducted with Liverpool and Nabil Fekir with regard to the transfer of OL’s captain have no produced a conclusive result and that OL have decided to end these negotiations at 2000 hours this evening.

Although Liverpool was Nabil’s priority for an eventual transfer, and despite being subject to other propositions conforming to his interests and those of OL, and emanating from ambitious clubs, OL is nevertheless delighted to be able to count on the presence of its captain who is at the forefront of plans for the 2018-19 season, during the course of which the club will contest the Champions League in the 3rd pot of the group stage draw.”

The reported cause is that the Liverpool medical revealed a long-term knee issue of Fekir’s, with the Reds subsequently deciding to attempt to lower the asking price for the forward.

Liverpool a dû tenter de faire baisser le prix du transfert suite à la visite médicale #Mercato https://t.co/q6jPLS79Sy

— Loïc Tanzi (@Tanziloic) June 9, 2018

This perceived affront has made Lyon see fit to cancel negotiations outright, although David Maddock of the Daily Mirror is adamant that talks will resume after the World Cup.

Deal for Nabil Fekir not dead. @LFC wanted to restructure terms to reflect issues with medical. Lyon président Jean-Michel Aulas a notoriously tough negotiator, refusing – so far – to budge on agreed deal. Fekir still wants Liverpool, and talks will resume after World Cup

— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) June 9, 2018

Whether Liverpool will opt for a different player, just cut their losses or renew their interest will prove intriguing.