Bayern Munich considering Lyon’s Nabil Fekir

Bayern Munich may make a run for Lyon’s dynamic midfielder Nabil Fekir. According to reports by L’Equipe and Canal+ (via Abendzeitung and Sport Bild), Bayern have already expressed their interest in Fekir to Lyon’s leadership.

Fekir has emerged as one of the brightest stars in Ligue 1 and on the French National Team. In the past season, the 24-year-old player participated in 40 matches, scoring 23 goals and assisting 8 more. He plays primarily as a central attacking midfielder, but can also play wide on the right wing—roughly the same positions as Thomas Müller.

But Bayern will have stiff competition, if the board decides to pursue Fekir seriously: Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool are purportedly prepared to pay €60 million to sign the star, while Atletico Madrid have likewise joined the bidding. Fekir's transfer value could rise as high as €70 million, nearly €30 million more than what Bayern paid for Corentin Tolisso when it last broke the club's and the Bundesliga's transfer record.

Circumstances might, however, conspire to make such a steep price palatable to Bayern Munich: Uli Hoeness may have declared there will be no major signings, but Bayern could acquire the capital to reinvest if the club successfully overhauls the roster by selling one or more players whose time with the club may be drawing to an end—namely, Juan Bernat, Arturo Vidal, Thiago, and possibly also Jerome Boateng—not to mention Robert Lewandowski, whose agent is actively pursuing his transfer elsewhere.

In all likelihood, Bayern will not move on Fekir until (and if) the club clears space on the roster by shedding players. Niko Kovac and the management are apparently in agreement that Bayern's squad is too big and plan to make cuts. Fekir’s performance at the World Cup will also undoubtedly influence his transfer value—which way is impossible to tell.