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Nabil Fekir transfer: Why Lyon star chose Liverpool over European giants
NABIL FEKIR chose to join Liverpool over other European heavyweights for two big reasons.
Nabil Fekir will transfer to Liverpool claims expert
The 24-year-old is expected to complete his £53m Anfield switch on Friday after passing a medical at Clairefontaine in France.
Fekir reportedly had other options this summer, with both Bayern and Atletico Madrid chasing the attacker's signature.
But the Frenchman made it clear he only wanted to join Liverpool in the coming months.
And according to L'Equipe, there were two reasons why Fekir snubbed all other options to move to Merseyside.
The publication claims Liverpool's incredible Champions League run was one of the main factors in the player's decision.
Fekir was impressed at the club's journey to the final which saw them beat the likes of Porto, Manchester City and Roma before losing 3-1 to Real Madrid.
And secondly, Fekir is said to be have been persuaded due to direct discussions with Jurgen Klopp after the Champions League defeat.
Liverpool based reporter DavidOCKOP tweeted: "L'Équipe state that Nabil Fékir had direct discussions with Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool's Champions League run reiterated his desire to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich who were also interested."
Fans give standing ovation for Fekir during his last Lyon match
Lyon played down talk of any imminent transfer on Twitter early on Friday, writing: "The information on the transfer of Nabil Faulkner is false.
"Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies the false information disseminated by many media about the transfer of Nabil Faulkner to the Liverpool club."