Liverpool set to launch a £63million move for Lyon star Nabil Fekir, but what could he bring to Anfield?


LIVERPOOL’S attack has been truly frightening this season.

They’ve outscored every side in the competition en route to the Champions League final and boast the Premier League’s top scorer in Mohamed Salah.

Nabil Fekir could be on the brink of a £63m move to Liverpool this summer
Nabil Fekir could be on the brink of a £63m move to Liverpool this summer
Getty

But, if reports from France are to be believed, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp hasn’t finished building his destructive frontline just yet.

In fact, the German boss is weighing up a £63million move for Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir.

The 24-year-old Frenchman has been in fine fettle for Lyon this season.

Now, our friends at Football Whispers are on hand to profile Fekir and take a look at what he would add to the Anfield attack.

Nabil Fekir has been in sensational form for the French giants this season
Nabil Fekir has been in sensational form for the French giants this season
REUTERS

Born in the city, Fekir grew up supporting Lyon and joined the club’s famously prolific youth academy aged 12.

However, the youngster was released two years later over concerns about his size and physical readiness for top-level football.


STRIKING A DEAL? Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp ‘meets Nabil Fekir’ in person to convince him to join the Reds


Undeterred, the teenage Fekir resolved to return to his beloved club, shunning interest from rivals Saint-Etienne and impressing in the youth ranks sufficiently to earn a place back at Lyon when he was 17.

And he hasn’t looked back since, making his debut for the first team in August 2013 and becoming a regular in the 2014/15 season.

That campaign, playing off Alexandre Lacazette in attack, Fekir enjoyed a breakout season, scoring 13 times in 34 Ligue 1 appearances.

He even drew comparisons to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi for his low centre of gravity, scurrying dribbling style and creativity.

By the end of that term, he was named France’s Young Player of the Year and was being linked with the likes of Arsenal and Real Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane a known admirer.

In 2015, the former Juventus and Real Madrid playmaker said: “Nabil is an incredible player and has impressed me technically.”

But Fekir remained in Lyon where he could continue his development as a key member of Bruno Genesio’s team.

Could Nabil Fekir fit in alongside Liverpool's fearsome front-three?
Could Nabil Fekir fit in alongside Liverpool’s fearsome front-three?
AFP

However, just weeks into the 2015/16 campaign, while making his first start for France in a game against Portugal, Fekir ruptured three ligaments in his right knee, ruling him out for months.

The 24-year-old returned to full fitness last season and gradually began to recapture his best form, finishing the campaign with 14 goals in all competitions.

But during the 2017/18 campaign Fekir has been in the form of his life.

The summer departures of Lacazette to Arsenal and Maxime Gonalons to Roma meant the Liverpool transfer target was given the captain’s armband and made the focal point of Lyon’s attack.

Showing new levels of leadership and adding more goals to his game, Fekir has been one of the standout players in Ligue 1 this term, netting 17 goals and registering seven assists in Ligue 1.

Meanwhile he’s broken the 20-goal barrier in all competitions for the first time in his career.

Although naturally left-footed, Fekir is comfortable on the right wing, from where he can wreak havoc among opposition defences by cutting inside on to his stronger foot.

But he is most at home in the No10 role he has starred in this season.

A fine dribbler, his 3.35 successful take-ons per 90 minutes this season ranks him seventh in Ligue 1.

His ability to strike the ball powerfully and accurately means he is a threat from anywhere within 30 yards of goal, especially from set pieces.

Liverpool are already in possession of one of European football’s most potent attacking units, but adding Fekir to their line-up would only make Klopp’s side stronger.


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