Chelsea rejected chance to sign Liverpool target Fekir, claims Lyon president

Chelsea turned down the chance to sign Nabil Fekir this summer, according to Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.

Fekir, who scored 23 goals across all competitions for Lyon last season, looked set to join Liverpool earlier in the summer but a move broke down.

At the time, Aulas claimed Fekir could still be the subject of bids from other clubs before the end of the transfer window.

Chelsea were subsequently linked with a move for the 25-year-old, with the Independent reporting the Blues were set to make a late offer.

#SquawkaScout: Nabil Fekir

• 90 take-ons
• 59 chances created
• 18 goals
• 8 assists

Still very much in demand. pic.twitter.com/2uatez9k5c

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 6, 2018

However, Aulas has now confirmed Chelsea rejected the opportunity to take Fekir to Stamford Bridge.

“That’s why we have been able to adapt things,” Aulas said, as reported by Goal. “We spoke with Chelsea representatives, and they had no interest at all in him.

“From then on, we realised we could change our plans [as he would stay].”

Fekir has struggled with injuries during his short career but enjoyed a consistent run of form last season, earning a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

Les Gones’ captain scored a career-high 23 goals across all competitions before being called up to Didier Deschamps’ eventual World Cup-winning squad this summer.

He made six appearances as France earned their second star in Russia, although this only equated to 69 minutes in total given the fact that all six were from the bench.

Chelsea, meanwhile, signed Jorginho from Napoli and loaned Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid in a deal which saw Thibaut Courtois depart, already giving them a variety of options in midfield.

The Blues have won their opening three Premier League games under new manager Maurizio Sarri and face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

The post Chelsea rejected chance to sign Liverpool target Fekir, claims Lyon president appeared first on Squawka News.

From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2wrM5tx