Chelsea opted out of signing Liverpool target and FIFA World Cup winner Nabil Fekir

Chelsea reportedly held talks to sign France international midfielder Nabil Fekir this summer, according to Goal.

The Premier League side, who face Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the English top-flight on Saturday (17:30), were linked with a move for the Lyon star, who was also a top transfer target for rivals Liverpool.

The 25-year-old, who has 18 international caps for his country, scored 23 goals and provided eight assists in 40 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit last season.

Fekir, who appeared six times for FIFA World Cup winners France at this summer’s finals in Russia, has netted 57 goals in 154 games overall for the club.

France midfielder Nabil Fekir.

The report claims new Blues boss Maurizio Sarri is keen to strengthen his attacking options in future transfer windows, and that they held talks with Lyon over a potential deal to sign attacking midfielder Fekir ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

However, Chelsea opted against pursuing a deal for the Liverpool target after keeping hold of their star players at Stamford Bridge this summer, including the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian.

Fekir is contracted at Lyon until June 2020, and is valued at £54m.