Manchester City targets Lyon s Rayan Cherki for summer rebuild

Manchester City has reportedly entered the pursuit of Rayan Cherki, the talented Lyon midfielder, as Pep Guardiola begins to reshape his squad for the upcoming season. Cherki, a 21-year-old France Under-21 international, has publicly confirmed his intention to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer, attracting considerable interest from across the Premier League. Clubs are widely speculating that his contract includes a release clause in the region of £20-25 million.

This potential move comes as City has reportedly ruled out a more expensive deal for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, who plays a similar attacking midfield role. Cherki's more accessible valuation makes him a compelling prospect for the reigning Premier League champions in the early stages of the transfer window.

Cherki has enjoyed an exceptional campaign, contributing significantly with 12 goals and 20 assists for Lyon. His recent public statements, thanking teammates and staff, underscored his likely departure. However, clubs assessing the prodigious talent must also weigh concerns regarding Cherki's temperament and his work-rate, which some have highlighted as a weakness compared to other pressing midfielders.

Despite these reservations, scouts and coaches see immense potential in Cherki that could be unlocked by the right guidance. A notable example of his raw talent surfaced during a Europa League clash against Manchester United, where, despite appearing fatigued in extra-time, he still managed to score a stunning 104th-minute goal.

Man City is not alone

Manchester City is not alone in their interest. Fulham has previously made bids for Cherki, while Borussia Dortmund also pursued him earlier in the current season. Premier League heavyweights like Liverpool and Chelsea have also been linked with the young playmaker, though confirmed approaches from these clubs remain unverified.

Guardiola's summer plans involve a significant restructuring of his City squad. The departure of key midfielder Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer creates a void in creativity. Furthermore, the future of Jack Grealish appears increasingly uncertain after he was notably omitted from the match-day squad in a crucial final-day fixture against Fulham where a result was essential. While City bolstered their defense and attack with new signings in January, their primary focus for the summer has shifted to reinforcing the midfield. Besides Cherki, the club is also understood to have serious interest in AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White.

Cherki represents a blend of high potential and relatively lower cost, making him an intriguing option as Manchester City seeks to maintain its competitive edge and evolve its squad composition for future campaigns.