Bасk іn thе ѕummеr of 2018, Nаbіl Fеkіr wаѕ on thе vеrgе оf mаkіng a high-profile mоvе frоm Olympique Lyonnais to Lіvеrрооl. The attacking midfielder, then regarded as one of the most creative playmakers in Europe, had already completed his medical tests and agreed to personal terms with the Merseyside club. A transfer worth £58.5 million (approximately $75 million) was all but confirmed. Yet, in a sudden and puzzling turn of events, the deal collapsed at the final hour — and to this day, Fekir admits he has no idea why.
Liverpool’s Plan to Replace Coutinho with Fekir
Following the departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January 2018, Liverpool were in urgent need of a replacement capable of providing creativity and goals from midfield. Nabil Fekir, then 24 years old and captaining Lyon, emerged as the prime target. With his sharp dribbling, deadly left foot, and versatility, he was seen as the perfect fit for Jürgen Klopp’s high-tempo attacking style.
Reports suggested the transfer had reached its final stages. Fekir even underwent a photo shoot wearing Liverpool’s kit and had filmed an interview for the club’s official media. The Reds had reportedly agreed on a fee with Lyon and were ready to unveil their new star.
Last-Minute Collapse: What Really Happened?
Then came the shock. Just as fans were preparing to welcome Fekir to Anfield, the deal abruptly fell apart. Initial reports claimed that an old ACL injury in Fekir’s knee, sustained in 2015, had raised concerns during his medical. Liverpool were said to have pulled out after re-evaluating the long-term risks associated with the injury.
But Fekir himself has consistently denied this narrative.
“Why did the transfer to Liverpool fail? To this day, I don’t know,” Fekir told French outlet L’Équipe in a recent interview.
“I completed the medical, everything was going smoothly… then suddenly, they decided not to sign me. What was reported wasn’t true.”
False Blame and Personal Toll
Adding to the confusion and frustration, Fekir also addressed rumors that his family played a role in the breakdown of the transfer, which he firmly denied.
“Some people even blamed my family for what happened. That’s the part that hurt the most — it was a complete lie. But I had to move on,” he explained.
Fekir also parted ways with his then-agent Jean-Pierre Bernès, whom he accused of spreading misleading information about the failed transfer — particularly regarding his knee injury.
Career After the Collapse
Instead of joining the Champions League-bound Liverpool squad, Fekir remained at Lyon for one more season. In 2019, he transferred to Real Betis in La Liga for a fee of just £18 million — a significant drop from the figure Liverpool had initially agreed to.
Had the transfer gone through, Fekir would have joined the likes of Alisson Becker, Fabinho, and Virgil van Dijk in a golden era for Liverpool — a team that went on to win the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020.
Now 31, Fekir is playing for Al Jazira Club in the United Arab Emirates, far removed from the European spotlight. Meanwhile, Liverpool are once again in the transfer market, this time reportedly close to signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a record-breaking £116 million deal.
What Could Have Been
Fekir’s failed move to Liverpool remains one of the most intriguing transfer collapses in modern football. For a player of his caliber to come so close to joining one of the world’s top clubs. Only to see the deal fall through with no concrete explanation — still sparks curiosity and regret among fans and pundits alike.
For Fekir, it was a moment that could have rewritten his career.
For Liverpool, it was a path not taken.
And for football history, it remains a transfer that never was — shrouded in mystery, emotion, and unanswered questions.
ALSO READ :
