Fekir gives incredible interview about injured knee ‘lies,’ agent that scuppered LFC move & how we stunted his career

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Nabil Fekir has given a very mature and honest interview with L’Equipe, and we’d encourage you to read the whole thing and learn more about the Frenchman and his situation.

In this article, we’ve shared a large chunk of it, rather than using a few quotes, as it’s simply so enlightening in regards to what really happened, from his perspective, last summer.

As we know, Fekir was minutes away from being a confirmed Liverpool signing, but for whatever reasons, the club pulled out of a deal at the last minute.

At the time, noises from the club intimated that Fekir had potentially long-term knee problems that became apparent during a medical, but the World Cup winner has loudly disputed this – claiming it’s nothing but ‘lies’ and that his knee is fine.

Instead, Fekir has blamed the role of his former agent, Jean-Pierre Bernès, the man who tried to broker a deal…

The playmaker suggests the agent wasn’t telling him whole truths during negotiations, and quite fairly in our opinion, Fekir has stated that with Liverpool leaking the idea his knee was in trouble, other big clubs refused to make bids – which we hadn’t considered before.

In fairness to the player, he says he holds no grudges against us – just his agent.

We really hope he enjoys a terrific season at Real Betis. He deserves it.

You can read the section of the interview which regards Liverpool here:

To explain your aborted transfer to Liverpool, we were able to talk about the condition of your knee or the intervention of your relatives. Did that annoy you?

It touched me because there have been an incredible number of lies told about it. Everything that has been said about my family in particular. It hurt them. It hurt them. Like it hurt me… Especially when you know that what’s on the air is not true. But when you are a good person in life, you always end up being happy and quiet. And I, today, am happy and quiet. Others are not well. We’re not going to go into detail…

However, this episode still seems to be in your mind…

I follow quietly because what he said to himself is not the truth. The knee, it’s fine. I had a medical check-up in Clairefontaine [French FA football training center]. It went successful quickly (laughs)! I haven’t been told for a second about the knee. You were talking about President Aulas’ proposal. If my knee was really in a critical situation, do you think he would have made me such a proposal?

But the worst thing is that some can claim that it is because of my family that the transfer did not take place, it is a lie… But you have to deal with it.

What is the truth then?

You want the truth? You should know that even I don’t know it! I reassure you! I did my medical check-up and, after that, they decided not to make me sign. At one point, they wanted me to believe it was the knee. But there had to be an excuse while the additional medical tests at Clairefontaine were very clear… The knee, it’s fine and I feel fine. The knee, it has nothing at all.

That upset you?

What may have annoyed me is that by trying to advance this pseudo physical concern, it may have burned me with other clubs that were potentially interested. While there are other players who have experienced the same injury as me and that hasn’t prevented them from returning to a normal trajectory. But I don’t have a grudge against Liverpool. I met them, our relations were excellent. They showed me that they really wanted me. But behind it, when you don’t surround yourself with the right people, it hurts you.

So it would be related to your former agent, Jean-Pierre Bernès, in your opinion?

Maybe… Then, as I said, it’s fate. But when, in negotiations, you are not informed of everything that is going on, it is not normal. We are a discreet family. And it’s never good to want to divide a family. We went through all this like a little jolt. It was a dark moment in my career.

How do you feel about your former agent today?

In fact, when you have nothing good to say about someone, there’s no point in talking. Otherwise I’m going to say things I’m going to regret. It wouldn’t fit my education. He himself knows what’s going on… Today, I have no more contact with him and I don’t want any more, it’s useless.

Do you also feel that you have made mistakes on your side?

I didn’t surround myself with the right people. But honestly, I don’t regret anything because even these mistakes have made me grow and progress.

Did that make you more suspicious?

Yes, with the experience and mistakes you make, you are forced to be more withdrawn and reserved. There are some detestable things in this world that bother me. Afterwards, we must not forget that before being a profession, playing football is a pleasure. And today, I am in Seville, where I feel soothed. Besides, it’s a beautiful weather! (Smile.)

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