Real Betis Sign Nabil Fekir From Lyon

By Joshua Walters

Spanish LaLiga outfit, Real Betis have completed the signing of Lyon's Nabil Fekir for a fee said to be around €20 million which could include a bonus of €10 million and a resale percentage of 25% according to L’Equipe.

The French midfielder in last year was near a move to Premier League side Liverpool but saw his £52 million deal stalled as Liverpool pulled out in the latter stage with fears of an old knee injury.

With Betis securing Fekir’s services, Argentine left-footed midfielder Giovani Lo Celso could be on his way to Tottenham Hotspurs, having been linked with the last season’s Champions League losing finalists.

But the Lily Whites will have to cough out £67 million, a fee to break their club record for the second time to sign the former Paris Saint-Germain player after spending £55 million to recruit Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon in the close season.

Having completed his move to Los Verdiblancos, Fekir was linked with Serie A giants AC Milan who is currently under squad overhaul following the arrival of former Sampdoria manager Marco Giampaolo after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down as the headcoach of Rossoneri.

Graduating through Lyon’s youth ranks, Fekir has developed to become a top-notch in the sport, becoming the club’s captain after the departure of Alexandre Lacazette to Arsenal.

The 26-year-old featured 144 times, scoring 54 goals for Les Gones.

The versatile midfielder was part of France's squad that won the 2018 World Cup in Russia.