One of the signings Chelsea fans clamored for during the summer transfer window in England was Lyon’s Nabil Fekir, but despite strong rumors towards the end of the transfer window, Chelsea never signed the forward and he was left to deal with another season at Lyon.
The diminutive forward was one of the most talked about players during the window, after his links with Liverpool broke down due to medical concerns the Anfield club raised in the latter stages of the negotiations as per the Daily Star.
The Reds opted for Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City and Fekir who hoped to play in the Premier League had his dreams shut down. But some hope emerged when his club’s top officials offered him to Chelsea although according to Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, Chelsea rejected him.
“That’s why we have been able to adapt things. We spoke with Chelsea representatives, and they had no interest at all in him. From then on, we realised we could change our plans [as he would stay].”
Jean-Michel Aulas, Goal
The Blues were in the hunt for another midfielder to add to their ranks but after the deal to bring in Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid while Thibaut Courtois went the other way materialized, it was always going to be tough decision for Chelsea to sign another creative player.
Willian did not leave the club as did Hazard who also remained after turning down the overtures from the Santiago Bernabeu, while Callum Hudson-Odoi looked like he was primed for great things this season. Fekir was never going to be an option for the Blues.
Fekir scored 21 goals for Lyon across all competitions last season while providing nine assists.
