Chelsea are reportedly chasing a stunning last minute move for French playmaker, Nabil Fekir, reports Alfredo Pedulla.
Fekir, 25, was close to joining Liverpool before the World Cup but negotiations broke down at the eleventh-hour. Liverpool still hold an interest with manager Jurgen Klopp being coy over whether the Reds would make another move for Fekir. Speaking following Liverpool’s 5-0 victory over Napoli in Dublin, Klopp would not rule out any potential incomings at Anfield.
Pedulla reports that Chelsea are willing to offer between €55-60 million but Lyon want €80 million. Fekir’s contract at Olympique Lyonnais expires in June 2020. However, what is crucial is that Chelsea are willing to offer Lyon a player on loan in order to drive the price down.
One potential loanee could be Michy Batshuayi. El Desmarque report that Batshuayi prefers a move to Valencia. However, it can be argued with any certainty that Batshuayi will move to the Mestalla as respected Belgian journalist, Kristof Terreur, said no decision regarding Batshuayi has been taken by Chelsea. Lyon could offer Batshuayi Champions League football and it would go a long way in trying to replace Fekir’s influence. In 154 appearances for OL, Fekir has scored 57 goals whilst making 34 assists.
Another potential loanee is Kurt Zouma. Zouma has attracted the attention of Everton who have struggled finding another centre-half with deals for Yerry Mina and Marcos Rojo stalling. However, L’Equipe have reported that Manchester United are contemplating a move for the defender who is surplus to requirements at Chelsea. Like Everton, United have struggled in finding a centre-half. Harry Maguire of Leicester, Jerome Boateng of Bayern Munich and the aforementioned Yerry Mina is on Jose Mourinho’s shortlist.
Fekir moving to Chelsea is unlikely but as the famous Jim White of SkySports always says: expect the unexpected, especially as it is transfer deadline day.
