Liverpool to step up interest in £53m-rated Lyon winger

Liverpool are reportedly prepared to step up negotiations with Lyon regarding their club-captain Nabil Fekir. The France international had a top campaign with Les Gones last season, contributing 18 goals and a further seven assists in Ligue 1.
According to L’Equipe, the Reds are prepared to start discussions with Lyon as early as this week as they seek to push through a deal for Fekir. It is added that Les Gones are reluctant to accept anything less than £53m for their skipper and Jurgen Klopp’s side should trigger their valuation in order to hold any contact with the attacker.
The Champions League finalists decided against pursuing a replacement for Philippe Coutinho following his move to Barcelona in January but Klopp is unlikely to maintain a similar stance this summer with the club seeking to bridge the gap in the Premier League.
Liverpool did finish 25 points off eventual champions Manchester City last term but they did manage to prove their mettle against Pep Guardiola’s side after beating them in three of their four encounters across all competitions.
Coming to Fekir, he has found most of his success in a central attacking role with Les Gones but he is also capable of slotting into a wider position or in a central midfield role where he shined in a 2-1 league triumph over Paris Saint-Germain last season.
Liverpool ended the previous season with a huge disappointment as they could not beat Real Madrid to the Champions League title but Klopp nevertheless has a squad with immense talent, who should only get better under his tutelage next term.
The attacking combination of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah was splendid to watch over the course of the 2017/18 season and Klopp now needs to find a balance in the midfield and defensive departments to enhance the club’s chances of competing for the English crown.