‘Rayan Cherki deal could trigger Lyon move for Man City wonderkid’
Manchester City are close to sealing the signing of Rayan Cherki, and the deal could see selling-club Lyon pick up one of Pep Guardiola’s young stars.
City are in the middle of a squad rebuild, after finishing 13 points behind runaway Premier League winners Liverpool last season.
The Manchester-based outfit ended the campaign trophyless, the first time in eight years that they have failed to pick up any major silverware.
Guardiola’s side are competing in the revamped Club World Cup later this month though, facing Wydad, Al Ain, and Juventus in the group stage of the competition.
Cherki’s City deal could see Lyon poach young stars
Cherki is set to join Man City in the coming days after Lyon accepted a £34million bid for the 21-year-old.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 30 | 8 | 11 |
Guardiola is hoping to have his new signing available for the Club World Cup, with the deal needing to be completed before Tuesday’s (10 June) 7pm deadline to register the France international for the competition.
According to BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty, Lyon are interested in a couple of Man City’s young stars.
Both James McAtee and Claudio Echeverri are on the French clubs’ radar, and they would like to take one of the players on loan as part of the Cherki deal.
Man City set for triple incoming
Football Insider Verdict
Cherki is set to be one of three incomings at the Etihad, ahead of the start of the Club World Cup, as Guardiola looks to right the wrongs of the 2024/25 campaign, and improve his squad dramatically.
Man City have already confirmed the signing of Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves, after sealing a deal worth £36.3m for the full-back.
Ait-Nouri impressed in the Premier League last season, scoring four goals and picking up seven assists, as he started all but one game for Vitor Pereira’s side.
Guardiola is adding yet more talent to his ranks, with Man City expected to announce Tijjani Reijnders’ incoming imminently.
The 26-year-old is reportedly costing the Citizens £46m, meaning that they are set to complete the triple signing of Reijnders, Cherki, and Ait-Nouri for around £115m.