Lyon boss Sylvinho confirms Nabil Fekir in talks to leave

Lyon boss Sylvinho has confirmed club captain Nabil Fekir is negotiating to leave the club amid talks with Real Betis.

Canal+ in France outline the reports that a €25m agreement has been reached, following on from similar claims in Le Parisien, with a deal expected this summer.

The 26-year-old is in the final year of his contract at the Ligue 1 club and it is within this context that Los Verdiblancos may seek to do a deal.

“Fekir is negotiating his transfer, we do not know when it will be resolved, but for him and for the club, it is best to resolve it as quickly as possible,” Sylvinho is cited as saying by Marca.

“He is a wonderful footballer, a player of very high level, just watching him drive the ball in practice is incredible, there is no doubt that we will miss him.”

It is claimed that Fekir is available for between €25m and €30m, while a deal should be closed when Betis – as expected – complete the sale of Giovani Lo Celso, who is available for transfer in excess of €70m.

Fekir, a left-footed playmaker, was reportedly primed to join Liverpool a year ago for €60m but the move broke down and he remained at the French side, but an exit may prove more likely this summer.

The France international is a key player for Lyon and it is unlikely they will allow him to leave on the cheap, but Betis could have their transfer power greatly inflated by the sale of Lo Celso.

Tottenham are favourites to sign the Argentine midfielder and may spend in excess of €70m for the 23-year-old, who joined Betis permanently for just €22m from Paris Saint-Germain in April.

Fekir – captain of Lyon and World Cup winner with France – is said by reports in Le Parisien and France Football, as verified by ABC de Sevilla, to be ‘receptive to the idea of continuing his career in Spain’ which may provide the framework for a move.

Betis are also said to have agreed to also sign Fekir’s younger brother Youssef, who they will then loan out to a second-tier club in Spain.

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