Liverpool move closer to Fekir but lose long-term transfer target

Liverpool are striding closer to the signing of Nabil Fekir from Lyon but will choose to move on from another long-term transfer target.

Strap yourself in because Liverpool Football Club are not messing around this summer. Long have fans of the club been angry and frustrated by the team’s business in summer transfer windows. The net-spend tables are trotted out every year. This summer is shaping up to be very different.

Hot on the tails of the whirlwind, out-of-the-blue transfer of Fabinho from Monaco, the Reds are looking to seal a deal for Nabil Fekir from Lyon by the end of this week.

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Reports from both The Guardian and The Independent suggest Liverpool are deep in talks with Lyon and the player’s representatives. There is a growing expectation in the media that the Fekir transfer will be wrapped up very soon.

There is some uncertainty about whether or not the player wants the deal done before the World Cup or after. I’m sure he wants to concentrate on the tournament and cementing his place in the France side.

However Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool’s business to be finished before pre-season training starts. They are pushing hard to tie it up this week.

While Fabinho is already on board and Fekir imminent there is one long-term transfer that appears to be nixed by these two deals. A potential move for Fabinho’s ex-Monaco teammate Thomas Lemar is all but dead.

Reports from France suggest a deal could still be done but Neil Jones, who is closer to Liverpool, claims that Lemar is no longer a target for the Reds.

Next: Five Players Outside Top Six Liverpool Should Sign

There are a number of rumors circulating that Liverpool are pushing hard to sign a new goalkeeper in the next few weeks. There will also likely be a defensive addition and another high-level forward to rotate with the front three.