Liverpool have been handed a transfer boost after Lyon chief, Jean-Michel Aulas, admitted Nabil Fekir will be allowed to leave this summer.
A £53m move for the French midfielder collapsed last summer after he had emerged as Jurgen Klopp’s top target to replace Philippe Coutinho.
He remained in France for another season but has continued to be linked with a move away and could get his wish this time around.
Lyon’s chief effectively confirmed after the 3-2 win over Nimes on Friday that he is free to leave.
Aulas said: ‘Effectively, Nabil is outside [of the two departures expected], because we have an understanding that he can go.
‘Thanks Nabil for bringing what he brought, we have an understanding to let him go.’
Fekir hit 12 goals in all competitions this season after winning the World Cup with France.
He helped Lyon to a third place finish in Ligue 1 but could be one of a number of high-profile departures in the close-season.
Tanguy Ndmbele, Ferland Mendy, Moussa Dembele and Memphis Depay are all attracting interest from across Europe.
But Aulas insists that Lyon will strengthen in the transfer market.
‘We will work on making signings,’ he added. ‘We are going to try to lose as few players as possible. We are also going to strengthen.
‘We are quickly going to have it out with [new sporting director] Juninho and [head coach] Sylvinho.’
