Five Premier League clubs could reportedly battle for the signature of Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki in the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old has decided to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer, telling reporters last week: “Thanks to OL, the coach, the staff, the president, my teammates and all people at the club”.
Cherki, who has just a year remaining on his Lyon contract, has been a standout performer for the French giants this season, scoring 12 goals and registering 20 assists in 44 matches across all competitions.
The versatile attacker contributed to 12 goals (four goals, eight assists) in as many Europa League games this term, scoring twice over two legs in Lyon’s quarter-final defeat to Manchester United.
Cherki’s impressive performances are understood to have caught the attention of several European clubs including Man United, who have recently entered the race for his signature according to Get French Football News.
Five PL clubs set to battle it out for Cherki this summer?
The report adds that the Red Devils could be joined in the race by rivals Manchester City, while Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Premier League champions Liverpool have also been credited with an interest, the latter of whom are said to be long-term admirers.
All five Premier League clubs could face competition from abroad, with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and Serie A outfit AC Milan both said to be keeping tabs on Cherki’s situation.
Lyon allegedly agreed a €15m deal with Fulham to sell Cherki last summer, but the Frenchman turned down a move to Craven Cottage and is seemingly holding out for a move to a bigger club.
It is understood that Lyon are now prepared to part ways with Cherki for as little as €22m (£18.5m) due to their well-documented financial problems.
Cherki’s superb form at club level has been rewarded with a first senior call-up to the France national team squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League semi-final clash with Spain next month.
The youngster has previously earned 23 caps for France Under-21s and was also part of the French squad managed by Thierry Henry that won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Henry: ‘Everyone knows what Cherki can do’
Henry has heaped praise on Cherki’s performances this term, but he has warned interested suitors that the attacker must receive tough love from whoever is managing him next season and needs to be encouraged to contribute defensively.
Speaking to L’Equipe, Henry said: “We didn’t give him anything, he got through it, and that too is the strength of a great player. Everyone knows what he can do, and this season he has shown that he also knows how to do what is expected of him without the ball, that is to say, adapt to a system.
“His problem was that he had never been able to play a string of matches to show what an extraordinary player he is, but to play a string of matches, he had to do things, defensively, throughout the duration of a match.
“This season, he did it, so he played a string of matches. I appreciate this kid so much… It’s just that at certain times you had to be tough, like a father with his son.
“For me, we’re talking about a guy who should have been battling with the others, at the very top, for a long time to see who is the best. He fell behind because it took him a while to understand… But now, he’s understood.”
Cherki made what is expected to be his final appearance for Lyon in a 2-0 home victory over Angers in Ligue 1 last weekend, assisting Alexandre Lacazette for his second goal after the interval.
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