Nabil Fekir oozed a mixture of elation and relief on Saturday as the final-whistle was blown to confirm Lyon’s third-place finish in Ligue 1 and Champions League qualification.
The Frenchman was substituted in the 83rd minute of the game, leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from a stadium of home fans evidently aware he was probably playing his final game for the club before moving on.
Liverpool has been touted as his likely destination, with reports in France suggesting a £62million deal is nearing completion.
Besides the gratitude of his supporters, Fekir’s own delight at finishing Lyon’s mission to seal a place in Europe further signified that his time at the club had come to an end.
This for me is happiness, and a final goodbye. pic.twitter.com/Fym87fzVOz
— Daniel A’ (@DannLFCTR) May 19, 2018
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Whilst the French media appear certain of a move to Liverpool, the reliable journalists in England have been coy on the speculation.
That said, few on home soil were aware of the Naby Keita deal prior to the announcement last summer nor did many anticipate the signing of Virgil van Dijk in January.
It is perhaps for the illegal approach that landed Liverpool in so much trouble with the latter that the club is now keen to keep transfer news internal until completion.
Lyon are supposedly keen on resolving Fekir’s future prior to him joining up with the French squad for next month’s World Cup in Russia.