TBR Football can exclusively confirm what Arsenal have now done involving Rayan Cherki amid interest from a host of Premier League clubs.
Arsenal are just one of several big Premier League clubs eyeing the Lyon talent, who is fast making a name for himself as one of Europe’s best young players.
TBR Football sources recently confirmed that Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Manchester United are all eyeing Cherki.
Cherki was in Europa League action against Manchester United and it’s safe to say a lot of eyes were on the 21-year-old attacker.
Arsenal one of several Premier League clubs who sent scouts to watch Rayan Cherki in action against Manchester United
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has confirmed that some of England’s biggest clubs all had scouts in attendance at Thursday’s game.
Arsenal scouts were at the Groupama Stadium watching Cherki, as were representatives from Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham.
TBR Football sources have also confirmed that all the scouts love Cherki and wonder just how good he could become.
Indeed, some feel he could have the career trajectory of Karim Benzema, who started at Lyon and went on to become one of the best forwards in the world at Real Madrid.
Cherki has really got his head down this season and, as a result, is now making a huge impact and courting the attention of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
Furthermore, it is believed that Lyon are looking for around £25-30million for Cherki, making him a bargain for the Premier League’s top clubs.
Cherki scored a late equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw with Ruben Amorim’s Man United.
What Ainsley Maitland-Niles has said about Rayan Cherki
Arsenal academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been plying his trade at Lyon since 2023, when he joined after leaving the Gunners on a free transfer.
Speaking ahead of Lyon’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, Maitland-Niles could not sing Cherki’s praises highly enough.
“He is the best natural talent I’ve ever seen,” Maitland-Niles told BBC Sport. “An absolute master, a wizard with the ball.”
“He’s taking chances, assists and dragging us up the pitch by taking people on and nutmegging them – he is a genius.
“He is two-footed, has no fear, keeps going and going, can get past people with such ease, such finesse.
“He is now working for the team off the ball and has gone to another level this season.”
