Arsenal’s Nabil Fekir transfer stance and fee revealed

Arsenal have been linked with Nabil Fekir once more in the summer transfer window , held an interest in the Real Betis midfielder during his playing days at Lyon. Available once more, the Gunners have been given a fee to pay.

Nabil Fekir fell off the radar somewhat following his remarkable failed move to Liverpool in 2018, in which he had done everything possible to secure the transfer including personal terms, club interviews and everything in between.

A failed medical eventually pulled the plug and he spent another season at Lyon, before moving to Real Betis in a move few saw coming.

Mikel Arteta’s side have not stopped tracking him and rumours have resurfaced of a desire to bring him to north London at the end of the season.

https://twitter.com/charles_watts/status/1376108083739516928

Arsenal’s Nabil Fekir transfer stance and fee revealed as Mikel Arteta eyes Real Betis midfielder as Martin Odegaard alternative

Goal’s Arsenal correspondent Charles Watts has shed some light on the developments coming out of Spain, claiming that the interest from the Gunners is real but has not come anywhere near a formal move for his signature.

The priority remains keeping hold of Martin Odegaard for another season at least, with the club drawing up a list of alternatives should an extended stay for the Norwegian not be concluded.

Betis, who like all clubs are feeling the financial strain of the coronavirus pandemic, are in need of selling. Fekir is one of their most prized assets with over two years left on his deal, while this season he’s found good form despite nine goal involvements in 25 La Liga outings suggesting otherwise.

With an eye-watering €90m release clause in his contract, Arsenal, as with all clubs, have no desire to meet that figure thus Betis will drop their asking price to £26m. Fekir recently switched agents with an eye on sealing a move away.

However, the goal remains Odegaard.

The 22-year-old has expressed his desire to stay with Arsenal beyond the current campaign, music to the ears of many as it puts the Gunners in a far stronger position to secure his services longer term. Of course, so much will be dependent on securing Champions League football next season.

Fekir, at his age and with no resale value, is OK as an option, but Arsenal should not be serious with it. If Fekir is the alternative, Odegaard becomes even more essential.