Liverpool may be facing problems with the Nabil Fekir transfer despite it looking for so long like being a done deal for the Lyon attacker.
The Guardian are reporting that the Reds’ £53million move for the France international is now in doubt due to fitness fears after he had a medical with the club.
MORE: Liverpool confirm star to leave at end of contract amid imminent signing with Serie A giants
This seems disappointing news for Liverpool fans considering Fekir’s superb performances for Lyon last season, but there are other options out there.
If this deal does end up falling through, here’s a look at five other quality attacking midfield players the Reds could try to swoop instead…
1) Thomas Lemar (Monaco)
Another top talent from Ligue 1, Thomas Lemar’s name has been mentioned alongside big clubs for months now as he’s surely unlikely to continue at Monaco for much longer.
It’s been claimed Liverpool may have been targeting Lemar alongside Fekir anyway, and now seems the ideal time to step up their interest.
The Times have also linked the 22-year-old with Manchester United and report that he may cost as much as £90m, so while he’d be considerably more expensive than Fekir, it could be worth the investment.
2) Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain)
Transfermarketweb have linked Julian Draxler with Liverpool in recent times, and the PSG attacker is another quality Ligue 1-based player who could more than do a job for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
A similarly versatile and creative performer to Fekir, the Germany international seems an ideal fit for the way Liverpool play under Klopp, and he could be a realistic target.
No longer as much of a guaranteed starter for PSG since last summer’s signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, Draxler may be tempted to try a switch to Anfield in order to get more playing time.
3) Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)
After a difficult first season at Barcelona, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Ousmane Dembele could be available this summer.
Another exciting young French forward, Dembele also seems like he’d slot in perfectly into how Klopp’s Liverpool side play, and the Daily Mail have suggested he might be available on loan.
This seems a superb, low-risk move for Liverpool and one they should explore, with Dembele long regarded as one of the most exciting youngsters in world football and one who could improve in Klopp’s fast-paced attacking side, who play more like Dembele’s old club Dortmund than Barca do.
4) Malcom (Bordeaux)
Yet another top young talent coming through in Ligue 1, Brazilian starlet Malcom has shone at Bordeaux and has been linked with Liverpool in recent times.
It was recently reported by the Mail that Liverpool could be in for the 21-year-old, and he seems a talent capable of ensuring the Reds forget all about missing out on Fekir.
Malcom seems likely to have many other suitors this summer, however, with Goal suggesting he could be on his way to Inter Milan.
5) Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)
Finally, Marco Asensio is another superb young talent who may be realistic for Liverpool this summer due to a lack of regular starts for his current club.
Real Madrid have used Asensio somewhat sparingly in recent times despite his impressive contributions whenever he has played, so could he be lured to Anfield with the promise of more of a key role?
Diario Gol have reported that Liverpool could be keen on the Spain international as part of a swap deal for Mohamed Salah, but ideally they’d land him without losing their Egyptian goal machine.
Plenty for Liverpool to consider if the Fekir transfer falls through…