With the latest Arsenal news being dominated by the opening offer for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha it is easy to miss out on other potential signings that may end up at the Emirates and one of those is Lyon attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir.
It is being reported in the media that the French Ligue 1 outfit has offered the France international to Arsenal for a fee of £30 Million.
This is half the amount that Liverpool was prepared to pay for the 25-year-old last summer before the deal collapsed due to injury concerns
Since then Fekir has bounced back to full fitness with no injury concerns as confirmed by former Lyon manager Bruno Genesio who talked about the frustration felt by the player following his cancelled move to the European Champions.
“I think that he [Fekir] was very frustrated with his cancelled transfer to Liverpool at the beginning of the season,” Genesio told French radio station RMC.
“He made the World Cup, he had some injuries. He certainly did not feel strong enough to take on the role of leader, which he had done the previous season, relaying technical information on the pitch.
“Nabil is coming to the end of a cycle in Lyon. He has experienced a lot of things here.
“I think that he needs a new challenge, to push his limits, and to be self-critical. Because we know, we always need a personal challenge in a career, and to ask questions of ourselves.”
Fekir is a top talent and if there are no further worries about his medical status then he would indeed be a bargain at just £30 Million and you have to think that if Jurgen Klopp thought he was worth £60 Million and was good enough for the Reds then surely he is good enough for Arsenal, especially at a discounted price.
Obviously, if Arsenal do manage to land Zaha then it is unlikely that they will be splashing out any more big money but in the event, they fail in their attempts to sign the Palace forward then Fekir would certainly be worth considering.
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Nah. His name his too close to a swear word
I think his collapse deal to Liverpool was more of Liverpool try to negotiate the deal down after discovering his injury which upset Aulas to cancel the deal.
He’s technically good. Has he recovered from his injury fully, only time will tell. If we could shift one of miki or ozil then he can be brought in as a cam.
Instead of $60m+ for Zaha, I’d rather Fekir & Ziyech or Malcolm.
Fekir has history with Laca
Straight swap for ozil, please Carlsberg.
But given ozils heavy involvement in the new kit launch with Adidas and the apparent talks with Emery to redefine his role in the team as a Deep Lying Playmaker, I cannot see him going anywhere.
Let’s be honest if we could get ozil and miki back on track in mood, fitness and form in 433 it would be like 2 new signings and more like 4 if torreira and xhaka can do the same.
Imagine a front 6 all on form of
……Ozil Torreira Xhaka
Mkhitaryan Lacazette Aubameyang
Our woes would all be forgotten if they were all on form and with a quality young back up 6 of
Willock Maitland-niles Guendozi
Smith-Rowe Nketiah Nelson
I would be reasonably happy, just that damn defence, but with Bellerin Holding Bielik Tierney.
I would forgive their youthful excuberrance, if ably supported by
Jenkinson Sokratis Koscielny Kola
Let’s not forget Mustafi Mavropanos, Monreal, Chambers, Elneny and Iwobi who are excellent squad men to have around.
Obviously I want to see that whole squad improved upon with some sold and some sent on loan. I mean as it stands we have 5 goalkeepers that I haven’t mentioned that are all over 23 years of age, that can surely be reduced to 3, whilst the Japanese guy surely has to go.
I agree.
We do have the players.
We just need them to hit form together
Roshan, I concur – two top class players plus change for the price of Zaha puts things in perspective.
Would have suggested if the gaffer wants Ozil off our books that much, we should just offer a straight swap with Fekir and offer to pay £100k of Ozil’s wages weekly but even at that, Lyon wont accept such shortage save for if they are willing to make Ozil their playmaker and are willing to play to his strengths.
I agree, i do think Ozil will fit in ligue 1 perfectly, pressures are much in EPL
I dont think Zaha bid should have major impact on our other signings within 45m budget. Zaha bid shoud be funded by kit sponsorship aid. Maybe am wrong, i stand to be corrected.
So if my hypothesis is right, we should still afford Nabil , Tieny, Berahimi, 5m saliba,with a <£20m cb. I believe we will get player sale of at least £20m before the window shut
Fekir’s great.. I can’t believe all these players we’re linked with! I’m just trying to get my head round the fact that we actually bid 40m for someone!!!
I think it either that our budget isnt really 45m or the club just decided to make a 40m bid knowing fully well that it will be rejected to distract the fans and make it look like they are actually trying
That latter sounds about right, Brainbox ?
Could you please explain why you think the club isnt serious by offering £40m? Is it because it was reported CP want 100m? Do you think 100m is a realistic figure or is 40m too low for zaha.?
For me 40m is a good innitial offer, acceptance/rejection laid with CP, there is no guaratee our 1st bid will be accepted straight even if we offer over 60m which is a ridiculous amount for zaha. Its a negotiation. Lets be objective in our analysis and not join badwagon
Fekir is a very high quality player indeed. He neary 26 so offers at least 5 years. When we lost Santi, that broke my heart. Fekir is in that creative class. How can we say no? We should sign him immediately. What a great mentor he would be for the younger players. Class act. Sign him NOW.