Liverpool‘s proposed move for Nabil Fekir has been put on hold over fitness concerns.

The Lyon playmaker suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament in 2015 that kept him out of the 2015-16 season, then missed several games last season because of a knee injury.

Fekir underwent a medical on Friday and reportedly had already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract with Liverpool before the medical concern cropped up.

Lyon denied that a move for their captain was close to being completed, but it is thought that the two clubs made a breakthrough in talks over a £53million transfer late on Thursday.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has targeted Fekir as a replacement for Philippe Coutinho, who was sold to Barcelona in January. The signing would be part of an ongoing midfield makeover, with Liverpool having agreed a deal last summer for Naby Keita to join from RB Leipzig in this window and then tying up a deal for Fabinho from Monaco last week.

However, with the 24-year-old set to depart for the World Cup in Russia with the rest of the France squad after their friendly against the United States on Saturday, the transfer could be delayed until after the tournament ends.