Manchester City Plot Stunning Raid on Lyon Star as Frenchman Shatters Manchester United Agreement
In a shocking turn of events, Manchester City have reportedly joined the race for Lyon star Rayan Cherki, a move that could potentially shatter Manchester United’s agreement to sign the Frenchman. According to sources, Cherki has been identified as a top target for City, who are looking to bolster their midfield ahead of the new season.
The move comes as no surprise, given that City’s superstar Kevin De Bruyne is set to leave the club in the summer after failing to agree on a new deal. The Belgian midfielder has been a key player for City, winning six titles with the club and becoming the second-leading assister in the history of the Premier League. However, with his contract expiring, City will look to find a replacement for the departing icon.
One of the latest targets for City is Lyon’s Cherki, who has been directly involved in 32 goals this season, including 12 in the Europa League. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder/winger has confirmed that he will leave Lyon in the summer, and it is widely believed that £20-25million will be enough to land him. According to Football365, City’s interest in Cherki is a ‘live possibility’, and the club’s focus on the midfield could make them a more attractive destination for the young Frenchman.
Manchester United had previously been reported to be interested in signing Cherki, with Fabrizio Romano stating that the club is looking to sign another No.10 after the signing of Matheus Cunha. However, United’s finances have taken a hit, and their lack of European football next season could make it difficult for them to sign top players this summer. In contrast, City have confirmed Champions League football and look much better placed to land Cherki.
The report from Football365 also states that City’s interest in Cherki will not interfere with their interest in two other stars, AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The club is said to have ‘serious interest’ in both players, although the transfer fees for both players could be significantly higher than Cherki’s.
City’s summer could be an expensive one if they are to sign two or even all three of those players. While Cherki is a relatively cheap option at £20-25million, Gibbs-White has been valued at around £100million by Forest, and Reijnders will apparently cost upwards of £70million. As Football365 reports, there would surely have to be some sales made for City to think about all of those signings, and Jack Grealish is one man who could be let go, after being left out of the squad for the final game of the season.
As Kevin De Bruyne’s entourage arrive at Napoli with an agreement ‘done’ in two days, City’s transfer plans are set to be a major talking point this summer. With the club looking to bolster their midfield and attack, fans will be eagerly anticipating the arrival of new signings. According to Football365, City’s interest in Cherki is just the beginning of a busy summer for the club.
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