Jean-Michel Aulas: Lyon yet to receive offers for Nabil Fekir

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said that the club are yet to receive a transfer offer for club-captain Nabil Fekir. The France international was the standout performer for Les Gones during the recently-concluded campaign where they finished in the final Champions League spot ahead of Marseille.

Since then, there has been plenty of speculation regarding Fekir’s future at the Groupama Stadium but Aulas has stressed that none of the player’s suitors have made a formal approach, he told L’Equipe: “We simply know that teams are interested. His agent, Jean-Pierre Bernes, has told us so. There have been no discussions either with Nabil or with other clubs, so it’s very premature. He’s also hesitating about whether he wants to play in the Champions League with Lyon.”

Despite Aulas’ comments, Fekir is widely expected to pursue a fresh challenge with Liverpool among the prime candidates to acquire his services. A recent report from RMC Sport suggested that the Merseyside outfit had already finalised a £62m deal for the France international but the player’s father thereafter came forward to dismiss the speculation.

As things stand, Fekir is focused on impressing for France at the summer World Cup and any exit from Lyon could be put on hold until the conclusion of the tournament. Les Bleus performed credibly under Didier Deschamps as they finished runners up for the 2016 European Championship and the players now have the opportunity to prove themselves at the World Cup, where they exited at the quarter-final stage in Brazil.

Prior to the World Cup, Francehave three friendlies scheduled against the Republic of Ireland, Italy and the United States. They would thereafter make the trip to Russia where they are expected to face Australia, Denmark, and Peru in the group stage. Comparing the strengths of the sides, France should comfortably top their standings before the knockout phase of the World Cup.