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News reverberating around the footballing world on Thursday evening suggested Liverpool had finally made a breakthrough in their negotiations for Lyon and France midfielder Nabil Fekir, with reports suggesting a deal had been struck between the two clubs.

Liverpool supporters' celebrations were reaching fever pitch, when Lyon slammed the brakes on, using in a club statement to claim, contrary to reports throughout the media, no deal had been agreed for Fekir.

Speaking regarding the rumours of Fekir's imminent transfer, the Ligue 1 side wrote: "The information on the transfer of Nabil Fekir is false.

"Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies the false information disseminated by many media about the transfer of Nabil Fekir to Liverpool.

"In this period of transfers where the slightest rumour is often presented as a reality, Olympique Lyonnais reminds that only the information disseminated by the club on its website is authentic."

However, it has been revealed by Mirror journalist Dave Maddock that Lyon were required to dismiss any notion of a deal having being completed due to business reasons, with Les Gones legally required to announce any significant business activity to the French stock exchange first.

Subsequently, it is their responsibility to ensure no false statements are made with regard to the fee they will receive for Fekir, with wildly varying reports throughout the French media likely the underlying reason behind the statement.

Reports also suggest that the move now likely go through after 17:00 English time on Friday, when the stock market closes in France.

France completed their final training session at their  training camp in Clairefontaine yesterday, and with Les Bleus set to play their final World Cup warm-up match against the United States of America on Saturday before flying out to Russia, Didier Deschamps will be keen for any of his squads transfer business to be concluded prior to their upcoming friendly.

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Despite any apparent setbacks in the conduct of their business, Liverpool are still expected to conclude a deal for Fekir and announce the signing of the 24-year-old midfielder by Friday evening.