He may not have built his full French international debut yet- but there is plenty of buzz around Nabil Fekir .
[su_quote style=”carbon”]Liverpool have been linked with a summertime move for the PS60million rated Lyon attacking midfielder- who has already netted 22 times his season .[/su_quote]
He's also get seven assists and would be a top class addition to Liverpool's attacking armoury .
The player himself is tight-lipped:” There is nothing new for now ,” he told Top Mercato .
” I'm still at Lyon and there are two games left. At the end of the season we'll consider .”
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And respected French journalist Jacques Santucci, who works for broadcaster SFR Sport, devoted the lowdown to the Liverpool Echo on Jurgen Klopp's big summertime target .
How good a player is Nabil Fekir ?
Jacques Santucci( JS ): He is one of the best French players. He has the ability to break down deep defenses like Philippe Coutinho did. He can induce the difference on his own .
That's been a weakness for Liverpool against bus parking squads. He is even more of a dribbler than Coutinho .
What's his career path been like. Wasn't be released by Lyon as a kid?
JS: At 13, Lyon let him go from the academy after deciding he wasn't good enough. He went to a small club called FC Vaulx, but returned two years when Saint-Etienne were also after him .
He did well with the reserve squad and broke through at 19. At 20 he actually became a regular starter. Lyon then played with two strikers in Alexandre Lacazette and him. The 2014/15 season was his best one before the current season, playing as a second striker. He did his ACL the following season but he worked hard to get back. This season he has been brilliant in the No 10 role .
How important is he to Lyon ?
Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood( Image: John Powell )
JS: He is the captain. He is the leader on and off the pitch, and he is the starring player. He became even more important this season after Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso left .
What are his main strengths? Any weakness ?
JS: He is very dangerous in the final third, very skilful and he has a very good left foot. He is the second most fouled player in Ligue 1 after Neymar and the fifth best dribbler .
His weakness could be his knee but he hasn't had any problems with that this season, bar a small issue earlier in the campaign but everything is fine now. His intensity levels can sometimes drop off which would be a problem under Klopp
What's his best stance?
JS: As a second striker or a No 10.
Do you think Lyon would be willing to sell him this summer?
JS: Lyon is a selling club but chairman Jean-Michel Aulas is a great businessman. He will sell at a price that he considers right .
Have any other clubs been watching him ?
JS: It is being reported in France that Chelsea and Arsenal are also interested. Barcelona is a club he really likes .
What kind of transfer fee do you think Lyon would demand?
JS: Around 70 million Euros( PS62million ).
Do you think he would be a good fit for a Klopp team?
JS: He wouldn't be a natural fit but Klopp can change that. Fekir has the talent. He can run, pass and score. I'm sure it would work out .
Where would he fit into Klopp's 4-3 -3 system?
JS: That's the most difficult question. We've never seen him in the No 8 role where Coutinho played but I think he could play there. He would be great in the front three but I can't see him taking Salah, Mane or Firmino's place. He would be a great option to have.
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