Arsenal target could leave Lyon this summer, says agent

The agent of Lyon captain Nabil Fekir has suggested the Arsenal target could leave the French side this summer.

Fekir emerged as a top transfer target for Arsenal in January following the departure of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United.

Arsene Wenger’s side broke their club transfer record to sign Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon last summer and would almost certainly have to do so again to sign Fekir.

Fekir’s current Lyon deal is due to expire in 2020 and his agent, Jean-Pierre Bernes, has suggested they will entertain the idea of leaving the club this summer.

“If at the end of the season, and this is not the case today, there was a decision to be made, then we would sit down with President Aulas and we would find the right solution,” he told Le Dauphine Libere.

“Respecting first and foremost Lyon. At home, we do not leave like a savage or after a showdown. Nabil is in a big French club if not the biggest.

“You know very well at some point, we may be able to ask questions about a departure. The decision will be taken in all intelligence, as professionals, and especially in the interests of all parties.

“When you leave your training club, to whom we owe everything, we leave in good conditions. If we have to leave… Nabil has the personal goal of being part of a top 10 club in Europe.

“He has the potential. Without burning the steps. A career, it is built, little by little. We must not burn ourselves, be careful, because football, it goes quickly.”

The France international, who is currently injured, has been in immense form for Lyon this season, but the Ligue 1 side surprisingly have a better record in the league when Fekir has not started.

They are unbeaten in the seven matches Fekir has missed and score more goals on average (2.43) compared to the games when he has started (1.96).

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old has played a direct hand in 22 goals in 24 league appearances this season (16 goals, six assists).

Not only that, but only Neymar (8.95) has garnered a higher WhoScored rating and won more WhoScored Man of the Match awards (12) than Fekir (7.91 & 11).