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Nabil Fekir speaks out on why Liverpool transfer failed


Nabil Fekir came very close to joining Liverpool (PA Images)

Nabil Fekir has suggested that his former agent was responsible for failed move to Liverpool.

The 26-year-old came close to joining Jurgen Klopp’s side for £53 million in the summer of 2018 but Liverpool pulled out of the deal with Lyon due to concerns over the midfielder’s knee.

Fekir required two operations on his right knee inside the space of a year due to a cruciate ligament rupture.

But the France international, who joined Real Betis in the summer, is adamant that his previous knee injury was not raised by Liverpool during his medical at Clairefontaine.

Fekir says his knee issues were not raised in his medical with Liverpool (Getty Images)

‘Lots of lies were told and they affected me,’ Fekir told L’Equipe.

‘Especially those told about my family. It hurt them and me. Especially when you know that’s what being told is false.

‘What was said is not the truth. My knee is good, I had a quick medical check at Clairefontaine, my knee wasn’t even mentioned. If my knee had been in such a bad state, would [Jean-Michel] Aulas have made [an offer to keep me]?

‘But the worst thing is the idea that people could suggest that it’s because of my family that the transfer didn’t happen. It’s a lie. But you have to live with it.

‘You want the truth? Even I don’t know, I promise you! I did my medical and then [Liverpool] decided not to sign me. At some point they wanted to have me believe it was because of my knee but an excuse needed to be found.

‘The medical tests that I did at Clairefontaine were very clear, my knee is perfectly fine and I feel fine. There are no issues at all with my knee.

‘But I have no bitterness towards Liverpool. I met them and we got on brilliantly. They showed that they really wanted me. But when you surround yourself with the wrong people, it comes off badly on you.’

Fekir joined Real Betis this summer (PA Images)

Asked if he was referring to his former agent Jean-Pierre Bernes who his split with earlier this year, Fekir replied: ‘Maybe. But like I said, it’s fate. But it’s not normal to be kept informed of negotiations.

‘My family is discreet and it’s not nice to try to split a family. It was a dark moment in my career.

‘If you don’t have anything good to say about someone, it’s best to stay quiet. Otherwise I’ll say things I’ll regret.

‘That’s not how I was brought up. He [Bernes] knows where he stands. We have no contact today and I don’t want any.’





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