Liverpool news: Nabil Fekir hits back at ‘false’ claims he failed medical ahead of proposed Anfield transfer
Former Liverpool target Nabil Fekir has strongly denied claims that his proposed move to Anfield last summer fell through due to a failed medical.
The Reds were on the brink of signing the Frenchman from Lyon for around £53million in the 2018 summer transfer window, with Fekir even recording an interview with LFC TV, only for the club to pull the plug on the deal at the eleventh hour.
It was claimed the Premier League giants were concerned as the 26-year-old’s medical brought to light a problem with his knee, after Fekir suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament during the 2015/16 campaign.
But Fekir insists there is nothing wrong with his knee and has no clue why his Merseyside move didn’t happen.
The forward ended up remaining at Lyon for the season, managing 12 goals and nine assists, before signing for Real Betis this summer for a surprise £22m fee – just 12 months after almost becoming a £50m-plus player for Liverpool.
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He has shown no signs of his apparent injury in Spain, either, scoring two goals in three appearances for his new club so far this season.
And in an interview with L'Equipe, Fekir has now hit back at the ‘lies’ over his failed Liverpool switch and says the Reds used his previous knee injury as ‘an excuse’ not to sign him.
“Lots of lies were told and they affected me,” said Fekir
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“Especially those told about my family. It hurt them and me. Especially when you know that's what being told is false.
“What was said is not the truth. My knee is good - I had a quick medical check at Clairefontaine [France's national training base] and my knee wasn't even mentioned. If my knee had been in such a bad state, would [Lyon chairman Jean-Michel] Aulas have made [a huge offer to keep me]?
“But the worst thing is the idea that people could suggest that it's because of my family that the transfer didn't happen. It's a lie. But you have to live with it.
“You want the truth? Even I don't know - I promise you! I did my medical and then [Liverpool] decided not to sign me. At some point they wanted to have me believe it was because of my knee - but an excuse needed to be found.
“The medical tests that I did at Clairefontaine were very clear - my knee is perfectly fine and I feel fine. There are no issues at all with my knee.”