Liverpool urged to avoid signing of “luxury” Nabil Fekir
John Barnes believes his former club Liverpool should avoid signing Nabil Fekir this summer.
A year ago, the 25-year-old French playmaker was close to an Anfield switch from boyhood club Lyon, but his prospective move reportedly worth £52.75m collapsed.
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The Reds would subsequently acquire Xherdan Shaqiri, who had suffered the ignominy of relegation from the Premier League with Stoke City. The Swiss international went on to play a part in their European Cup winning campaign.
Fekir remained at Les Gones and was once again instrumental for them. Across 29 league outings he scored nine times and created seven more goals. Bruno Génésio guided Lyon to a third place finish, guaranteeing Champions League football for next season.
However, with his contract expiring in June 2020, Fekir is keen for pastures new with Liverpool once again a reported destination, but as far as club great Barnes is concerned there’s no room for him in spite of his quality.
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“Yes, he’d be a good addition to the squad,” he told The Sport Review.
“But, it’s going to be difficult to get into the front three. If you look at the way Xherdan Shaqiri played, he could feature as one of the midfield three as well. It’s always good to have quality to help the squad. But it’s pure speculation until it happens.
“I don’t necessarily feel that Liverpool are desperate to sign anybody because of the squad they have and with two new players coming back in terms of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joe Gomez, who didn’t feature last year. We’ve still got Adam Lallana.
“It could be good for the squad but I don’t think we’re desperate to sign anybody.”
Fekir’s career. Five things to know…
- Graduated from Lyon’s established academy which has produced Ludovic Giuly and Karim Benzema.
- Has gone on to make 193 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club.
- Fekir has been involved in 115 goals for Lyon (scored 69 himself and created 46).
- Was part of France’s 2018 World Cup winning squad – made six appearances (totalling 67 minutes).
- Expected to leave this summer with Liverpool reportedly interested.
