- Nabil Fekir’s proposed move to Liverpool falls through.
- Fekir had reportedly undergone a medical ahead of the move.
- Could Chelsea look to take advantage of the situation? We take a look.
Chelsea should look to take full advantage of Nabil Fekir’s proposed move to Liverpool falling through.
As the Independent report, Fekir appeared to be on the verge of becoming a Liverpool player, joining Naby Keita and Fabinho to form a trio of summer midfielder acquisitions. The report revealed that the Frenchman had already undergone a medical ahead of a £60M move to Anfield. However, Lyon confirmed on Saturday afternoon that their prize asset would be remaining with Les Gones.
Nabil Fekir reste à l’OL https://t.co/RiE3st94Vq
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) June 9, 2018
Whether or not Jurgen Klopp’s side will look to revive the deal following the World Cup remains to be seen. For now, though, Fekir remains in limbo. How close the deal was to completion pretty much confirms that he was keen for it to materialise. Chelsea ought to ensure that he gets the move to a top Premier League club that he craved.
It’s true that we cannot offer him Champions League football next season, while Liverpool will be playing in the competition having finished inside the top four. We can, though, provide him with a free role in between talisman Eden Hazard and players’ player of the year Willian.
Since the departure of Juan Mata to Manchester United back in the winter of 2014, we have not had an archetypal number-ten. Oscar offered dynamism and a work-ethic that few others who play in that role can provide, but his creativity was nullified by manager Jose Mourinho.
It was evident last term that we were crying out for a player to link our midfield and attack. Never before has our offensive third looked so disjointed and clueless. Fekir could be the player that we need to bridge the gap between ourselves and our competitors.
Football London reported earlier this week that the collapse of Fekir’s move to Liverpool could give Chelsea hope of signing him. How concrete our interest in the 24-year-old is, if at all, is yet unclear. If our board are looking to rectify the shortfalls of last summer by recruiting genuine quality this time around, though, Fekir would be a good place to start.