Jose to Nab Fekir?
could be heading for a shock move to Manchester United, after Lyon president admitted speaking to Jose Mourinho in Russia.
Fekir’s move to Liverpool collapsed on the eve of the World Cup after he’d undergone a medical and completed interviews for the club website.
It may still get resurrected but the Lyon president has dropped another hint as to his transfer dealings.
On Friday he revealed Real Madrid were interested and claimed other big European teams were too.
And yesterday, speaking to BeIN sport, he claimed he’d been in talks with the Manchester United manager.
Aulas said: “I was with Jose Mourinho the other day. We had long discussions.”
Yesterday’s comments on Real Madrid will have alerted Liverpool and possibly pushed them into action as they look set to lose out to the European champions in a deal for goalkeeper Alisson.
And the fact Aulas has been talking to Mourinho won’t sit well with Jurgen Klopp and the Reds.
Yesterday however Aulas did admit a move to Liverpool could still happen. He said: “He was supposed to go to Liverpool at a certain point, I gave a green light, (but) things did not happen because they lasted too long. “Nabil is an exceptional player, he is on the map. the efficiency, to keep the ball, absolutely unique. “The failure with Liverpool has aroused the interest of other clubs. Everything is possible. Man Utd have wrapped up the signing of Fred – but they could be after another midfielder to play alongside him. Liverpool fans still harbour hopes that Fekir will eventually sign - just as Virgil van Dijk did after an initial stumbling block was hit – and their first reaction to rumours the club would pursue Xherdan Shaqiri as a replacement aroused a decidely mixed reaction.
But his electrifying displays in Russia and his cut-price release clause of just £12m (RM66m) have drastically changed opinions. And it seems the club are closing in on signing the Stoke man, according to the bookies.
The Swiss ace starred in the World Cup on Saturday as Switzerland came from behind to beat Serbia.
Shaqiri netted a superb individual effort in the 90th minute to give his country a great chance of making the last 16.
And with his display the bookies have the Stoke midfielder moving to Liverpool oddson at 2/7.
“Shaqiri's performances in Moscow have forced us to cut odds on Liverpool making a shock summer move,” said one bookmaker.
Pundit Chris Kamara believes the Switzerland ace would be good signing for Liverpool.
“Shaqiri is a brilliant player, absolutely fantastic,” he exclusively told Starsport.
“If Stoke manage to keep him in the Championship then that would be a miracle because he’s top class.
“He would perform in a Liverpool team, that’s for sure.
“There is always room (in the team) for top-class players.
“You play so many games throughout the season and someone like Shaqiri would earn his stripes in terms of performances.”
Shaqiri impressed for Stoke last season despite their relegation from the Premier League.
The 26-year-old scored eight times and provided seven assists in the top flight.
“You play so many games throughout the season and someone like Shaqiri would earn his stripes in terms of performances.”
Shaqiri impressed for Stoke last season despite their relegation from the Premier League.
The 26-year-old scored eight times and provided seven assists in the top flight. – Daily Star & Agencies