Olympique Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas has revealed the interest of Real Madrid in Nabil Fekir.
Speaking to French television, the wily Lyon owner suggested that medical issues were NOT to blame for the collapse of Fekir's £53m transfer to Anfield just before the start of the World Cup.
Instead, he suggested that he called off the transfer himself because it had simply dragged on too long.
Speaking to RT France, Aulas said: “Yeah, listen, at that stage it was foreseen he would go to Liverpool, I had given it the green light to go ahead. but it just took too long, things were just too drawn out.
“He is an exceptional player, he keeps the ball in little space and has an incredible talent. The fact that things didn't conclude with Liverpool and it didn't happen in that timeframe has peaked the interest of a lot of other clubs - Real Madrid, but not just Real Madrid and their new trainer.
“There is a lot of interest from other camps, so everything is possible."
Now, the Lyon President is adamant he wants Fekir to stay.
He added: "But at the same time we still have eyes for him staying in Lyon. My objective is to get him to stay - the players are like sons to me and I hope to persuade him to stay.
“But if he absolutely wishes to leave, then we will try to find the biggest club to match his talent."