Liverpool REIGNITE pursuit of bargain Rayan Cherki

Tom Weber
Tom Weber
  • Updated: 13 May 2025 16:06 BST
  • 4 min read
Rayan Cherki
© IMAGO

Liverpool and Manchester City have enquired about a summer transfer of Rayan Cherki, according to French media.

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The Lyon wonderkid is heading for the exit, and speculation surrounding his future is rampant. On Sunday evening, Cherki appeared to open the door to a move to PSG.

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Player image Rayan Cherki
Rayan Cherki

F (R), M (CR)

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Lyon

Rayan Cherki
Rayan Cherki

F (R), M (CR)

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Lyon

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However, several French sources have since downplayed the chances of a transfer to Paris as the Ligue 1 champions are still irate with the player for snubbing them in favour of Borussia Dortmund last summer. The German club ultimately failed in their pursuit of the 21-year-old - twice.

Cherki had a gentleman's agreement to move for just €22.5 million in January, but Dortmund's second attempt at signing him also broke down, with Lyon not honouring the pact by claiming that the approach for the attacker had been 'disrespectful.'

The Bundesliga outfit remain keen but are pessimistic about their chances of landing Cherki this summer as his brilliant performances this season have attracted bigger clubs.

Cherki heading to England?

Cherki has been linked with Man Utd in recent weeks, but Le Parisien reports that it is actually Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham who have made concrete enquiries about the playmaker.

Liverpool were among the clubs credited with an interest in January, while FootballTransfers exclusively revealed City's intentions to sign him in early April.

Rayan Cherki
© IMAGO - Rayan Cherki

Contrary to other reports, the French outlet claims that Cherki's €22.5m gentleman's agreement with Lyon is still valid, meaning that he will be a real bargain for whichever club actually ends up signing him.

Failure to honour this pact would reportedly see Lyon incur financial penalties, which the Ligue 1 side can ill-afford given that they still need to raise funds to stave off a provisional relegation to Ligue 2.

Despite the continued interest from Dortmund, it is clear that the most likely destination for Cherki is England as things stand.

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