Chelsea could look to capitalise on Liverpool’s failed summer move for Nabil Fekir when the transfer window re-opens in the new year.
Fekir came agonisingly close to sealing an Anfield switch back in June when the Reds ended negotiations due to concerns over an underlying knee injury detected in his medical.
Personal terms and a £53million fee had been agreed prior to the deal’s collapse, with Fekir evidently going as far in the process as conducting introductory interviews with Liverpool’s media department.
Rumours that the transfer would be revived following Fekir’s return from the World Cup failed to materialise as Liverpool displayed no signs of altering their stance.
Maurizio Sarri has already spoken to Fekir on the phone in an attempt to lure him to Stamford Bridge, according to El Gol Digital.
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Chelsea have history when it comes to pouncing on foiled Liverpool transfers, having signed Loic Remy in 2014 after the striker failed a medical ahead of a proposed move to Anfield.
Besides the Blues, Fekir has also been identified as a target for Bayern Munich amid the German club’s efforts to refurbish its ageing side.
Whilst Jurgen Klopp almost certainly won’t be reigniting his pursuit of Fekir, the Liverpool boss could dip into the marked following the turn of the year in search of attacking reinforcements.
A failure to find an orthodox replacement for Philippe Coutinho has left his side short of midfield creativity so far this season.
To find a new string-puller in January would be significant in helping the Reds maintain their Premier League title challenge over the second half of the season.