Liverpool could be granted the green light to seal one high-profile signing by as earlier as the start of the World Cup next month.
Nabil Fekir is expected to play his final game for Lyon when they face Nice on Saturday evening, having been heavily linked with a move to Anfield.
Accelerating reports continue to tip the Frenchman as the Reds’ next marquee acquisition, despite there being no confirmation of an agreement or even talks between club and player on this side of the channel.
Regardless of his destination, Lyon are keen to have Fekir’s future decided before football’s most prestigious competition gets underway in Russia, according to L’Equipe.
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Deals being agreed early enough for clubs to have plenty of time to find a replacement is arguably the greatest benefit of the transfer window opening in May.
The prospect of adding Fekir to Liverpool’s attacking ranks in the next few weeks would also benefit Jurgen Klopp’s transfer plans given the likely difficulty in negotiating deals during international tournaments.
Completing signings quickly is equally helpful for the squad in terms of striking some familiarity with new teammates in pre-season.
An unyielding confidence among French journalists that Fekir will be a Red next season doesn’t conjure from nothing, no matter how unreliable transfer rumours have grown to be in the modern market.