Former Lyon star Nabil Fekir was set to join Liverpool in the summer of 2018. but the club pulled the plug on the deal because of concerns with a long-term knee issue.
But his agent at the time has claimed that Fekir’s brother-in-law complicated the deal by turning it into a “Walt Disney film”.
“Nabil was Liverpool’s priority,” said Jean-Pierre Bernes in an interview with Canal Plus (via the Mirror). “I worked for four months with the Liverpool representatives, with Jurgen Klopp , Jean-Michel Aulas – everything was ready.
“Nabil was already aware of his future contract, which would have seen him earn around €45m (£40m) over five years.
“And on the day that the contract was supposed to be signed, at Rambouillet, we saw a lawyer and Nabil’s brother-in-law arrive who said: ‘Stop everything, discussions have to start all over again.’
“It was surreal. We thought that we were in a Walt Disney film. The brother-in-law of Nabil Fekir all of a sudden acted like a player’s agent.
“He wanted a commission, everyone knows, it is fashionable these days. (Fekir) was on a cloud, he seemed to have transformed – he didn’t even greet the Liverpool representatives.”
We’ve got to take Bernes’ words at face value, but if he’s telling the truth, then I’m glad we didn’t sign Fekir.
The last thing we need now, after the whole Bobby Duncan episode, is more people close to the club who don’t know what they’re doing.
It’s interesting that Bernes added that Fekir didn’t greet Liverpool representatives. It sounds like a complete 180 on the character that was being portrayed.
If the brother-in-law of the Betis man was simply after a cut of the deal then I hope Nabil ensures he isn’t involved in any future deals.
With all due respect to the Spanish club, it sounds like Fekir could be plying his trade at Anfield now if it wasn’t for his interference.