Nabil Fekir: Liverpool and Lyon tight lipped over transfer of France international
Canal + and RMC Sport report that Fekir has reached an agreement to join the Anfield club
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Your support makes all the difference.Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas has denied any knowledge of a reported agreement between Lyon and Liverpool for the transfer of Nabil Fekir
Canal + and RMC Sport report that French international Fekir has reached an agreement to join the Anfield club for a fee of €70m (£62m), with former Reds manager Gerard Houllier playing a 'large role' in the negotiations.
Fekir, 24, was appointed captain by OL coach Bruno Genesio last summer and he has since taken his game to new heights, scoring 22 goals and making eight assists in all competitions.
The academy youth product has established himself at the heart of a young, flourishing Les Gones side that are challenging for a Champions League spot in Ligue 1.
Reports of a switch to Anfield come as little surprise as he is widely regarded as an ideal replacement for Philippe Coutinho, who joined Barcelona for £142m in January, however Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has denied any knowledge of a supposed deal, despite RMC's report suggesting he has given the move his blessing.
When asked in the mixed zone after Lyon's 3-0 victory over Troyes on Sunday afternoon about whether the story was true, Aulas said: "No. If we had negotiated and signed [a deal], I would be the first to know.
"No, there hasn't been contact with Liverpool today. I am a bit surprised by this story.
"I also want to say there was no agreement in Nabil's contract allowing him to leave.
"Simply, when he signed his professional contract, we said on the day when he wished [to go], he could come to me to find an agreement. It can be this year, next year, in two years..."
Nabil Fekir, who continued his recovery from a recent knee injury by starting in Lyon's Ligue 1 victory this afternoon, also denied that any agreement had been reached.
Speaking in the mixed zone after the game, Fekier remained coy on the matter and did not deny the rumours. He said: "Me too, I heard these rumours (he laughed).
"For now, I am in Lyon. There are still two games left and we are preparing for them in the best way possible.
"At the end of the season, we will see. The Champions League with Lyon? Of course I want that. It's the club of my heart, as you know."
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool suffered defeat against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon and the rumours linking Fekir to the club were put to the German boss after the match.
Klopp said: "During the game we agreed a deal? I would be surprised by that. No comment."
The RMC Sport report also adds that Liverpool are interested in Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele.
Dembele, who played for Rennes before joining Dortmund and then the Catalan giants, is described as being 'in difficulty' in Spain. The French international did not start against Real Madrid in El Clasico.
The report also suggests that Liverpool will be looking to let a forward leave in the summer to compensate for the two arrivals.
Klopp said when asked about Dembele: "Is he on the market? Now I am interested. I never comment on transfer rumours."
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