---
title: "Lyon give Liverpool encouragement over Fekir deal"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/lyon-give-liverpool-encouragement-over-fekir-deal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jack Riley"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2018-06-06T14:34:23Z"
modified: "2018-06-06T14:34:23Z"
---

# Lyon give Liverpool encouragement over Fekir deal

Lyon Chairman Jean-Michael Aulas has spoken to the media and has said that his club have found a potential replacement for Nabil Fekir, who is reportedly very close to joining Liverpool, as per [The Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-receive-lyon-encouragement-attempt-14751184).

The Lyon Chairman has said that his club could turn to a former target to replace Fekir – former Newcastle United star Hatem Ben Arfa. Thw winger is now a free agent after his contract with PSG expired.

Aulas has said that he will not stand in Fekir’s way if a club comes in for him, with other European giants Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich looking fondly at the Frenchman too.

![Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2018/06/887809346.jpg)

However, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool look the most likely to sign the attacking midfielder for a reported £60m.

Aulas said:

> He (Hatem Ben Arfa) is an excellent player who could do well in Lyon. To consider his return, we should also talk to each other. Two years ago, we had a lot of contact before Sevilla and then PSG intervened. I don’t want a repeat of that If we speak, if there are departures and if there is a real interest on his part, why not?