Liverpool transfer target Nabil Fekir left out of Lyon squad for French Cup tie without explanation

The Reds have long chased the French international, with Lyon more willing to sell him now than last summer

Fekir only has 18 months left on his contract, with Lyon's stance softening (AFP/Getty Images)

Lyon forward Nabil Fekir has been curiously left out of the squad for their French Cup fixture with Bourges Foot.

The France international is not believed to have an injury, with his absence coming at an interesting time given Lyon's softening stance towards selling the versatile attacker.

Fekir, 25, was a target for Liverpool FC in the summer but Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas was firm in his stance that he wouldn't sell despite the Reds' £52m offer. Xherdan Shaqiri subsequently arrived at the club for £13m and has been a huge success, but with Dominic Solanke and Nathaniel Clyne leaving Anfield this week Liverpool have freed up some budget.

With just 18 months remaining on his contract, Fekir needs to either sign a new deal or be sold this summer in order for Aulas to get full value for the player. After Liverpool's lack of creativity cost them against Manchester City in their top-of-the-table showdown on Thursday night, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness suggested that adding inventiveness to the midfield would be a priority for Jurgen Klopp.

“I think it’s plain that Jurgen sees that’s an area that he needs to strengthen,” Souness said.

Nabil Fekir won't play in the Coupe de France this weekend (Getty)

“He signed two and tried to get Fekir from Lyon.

“That would have been three midfield players he would have got from the start of the season, [but] they didn’t get him.

“The midfield they’ve got now are all workaholics."