‘Man City agreed cut-price Rayan Cherki deal after odd situation’
Manchester City managed to agree a cut-price deal for Rayan Cherki after an “odd” situation emerged at Lyon.
The France international has made the move to the Etihad Stadium for an initial £30.5million, with up to £5million in potential add-ons.
However, French newspaper L’Equipe reported on 9 June Lyon owner John Textor had originally wanted to sell Cherki to Nottingham Forest and set Man City an asking price of £51million.
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider the Premier League side were likely able to agree a discounted deal for the 21-year-old due to Lyon’s financial issues.
Cherki registered 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 appearances in the 2024-25 season, while he scored his first France goal on his debut against Spain on 5 June.
Man City have already spent around £115million on new additions after also signing Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan and Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves.
Man City agreed ‘attractive’ Rayan Cherki deal
Borson insisted the Cherki deal is “attractive” for Man City due to the fee involved.
He told Football Insider: “It’s a slightly odd situation.
“Compared to the market, the fee feels low. I don’t know about the €60million (£51million) and how feasible that was for Lyon to get that.
“We know that Lyon have said themselves in their statements about their financial situation that they needed to sell players in the early part of the June window.
“I think it’s because on 24 June, they sit in front of the French financial sort of testing body, the sort of equivalent of the financial fair play adjudication panel in France.
“So, we know that they’ve got financial issues, and I think probably what’s happened is part of the ability to get a discount on the deal was possibly to do with payment terms being advantageous.
“But clearly on the face of it, the deal looks like an attractive deal for City, especially after he scored his debut goal for France.”
Crystal Palace race to sign Man City star
There is also expected to be several outgoings at the Etihad this summer as Pep Guardiola looks to revamp his squad.
Recruitment expert Mick Brown told Football Insider Crystal Palace are among the clubs interested in signing Oscar Bobb this summer.
The Norway international featured just four times for Man City in the 2024-25 campaign after breaking his leg last August.
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