Real Madrid and Chelsea are reportedly set to join the race to sign Olympique Lyon star Nabil Fekir, who is a target for Liverpool.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Nabil Fekir is set to become more difficult, as reigning European champions Real Madrid are looking to swoop in, along with the Reds’ Premier League rivals Chelsea, as per reports from Spanish outlet Don Balon.
Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for the Frenchman all summer, as the club seek to strengthen their attacking ranks, which did seem to lack depth last season, behind the terrific trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
The Merseysiders were close to signing Fekir in a stunning €65 million deal just before the World Cup kicked off, but the move fell through due to some problems that arose during the medical. Liverpool have since gone on to sign Switzerland international Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City .
But, manager Jurgen Klopp hasn’t given up hopes of signing the 25-year old, despite Lyon president Jean-Michael Aulas repeatedly insisting that the deal is dead in the water. However, any chances of Liverpool reviving the deal have gotten more complicated now, with the emergence of La Liga giants Real Madrid as potential suitors for Fekir.
Los Blancos are in the market for boosting up their attacking contingent, following the shock departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has earmarked Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard as the primary target, but also sees Fekir as a viable option, should the club fail to land the Belgium captain.
Chelsea too are understood to be in the running for the 25-year old’s signing and their intentions will only get stronger, should Madrid steal Hazard this summer. Even if the wing wizard ends up staying at the Stamford Bridge, the Blues are expected to continue monitoring Fekir’s situation, considering that Willian’s future at the club remains uncertain, amid interest from Manchester United.
Fekir had a memorable 2017-18 campaign with Lyon, as he came up with returns of 23 goals and 8 assists in 40 games across all competitions. The versatile attacker was also a part of the France team that went on to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup earlier this month. He made 6 substitute appearances in Russia, without scoring or assisting a goal.
The 25-year old has two years left on his contract with the Ligue 1 outfit. And despite club president Aulas’s insistence that the captain will stay put in France, it appears that Fekir, in fact, will be on the move this summer, with a three-way tug-of-war set to start between Liverpool, Real Madrid and Chelsea for his signature.
