Manchester City are reportedly targeting Olympique Lyon’s attacking midfielder and winger Rayan Cherki as a potential replacement for midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne in the number 10 role.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, City have both Cherki and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White on their shortlist. However, Cherki appears to be the more viable option, as Nottingham Forest are not keen on parting ways with Gibbs-White.
Cherki had earlier confirmed that he would be leaving Lyon this summer. Following Lyon's final match of the season, the 20-year-old took time to thank the staff and fans of his boyhood club, hinting at an imminent departure.
Lyon are also reportedly open to selling their homegrown star, valuing him between £35 million and £40 million. Given Cherki's ambition to take the next step in his career, a move to the Premier League seems likely.
Despite Lyon’s Europa League campaign ending in the quarter-finals following a defeat to Manchester United, the 21-year-old still finished as the competition’s top assist provider with 8 assists. In all competitions this season, he has scored 12 goals and provided 20 assists.
His contributions have not gone unnoticed, with clubs like Liverpool also being linked to him. However, negotiations with Manchester City are said to be progressing, and if all goes well, Cherki could become a Manchester City player very soon.
City has also reportedly agreed personal terms with the France footballer and are set to make an official bid to Lyon soon.
Cherki is one of the names mentioned as the top chance creators in Europe top five leagues. Plus he won the Ligue 1 best dribbler award, an award presented by Eden Hazard. There is no doubt that based on his precedents that he would cook under Pep Guardiola who already has players like Erling Haaland, Omar Marmosh, Jeremy Doku and even Phil Foden plus Cherki gets to play UCL football with City next season.