Pep Guardiola targets another Rayan Cherki in Chelsea-style transfer

Robin Bairner

18 Dec 2025 15:55 GMT
6 min read

Rayan Cherki, Man City, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Manchester City are celebrating the success they enjoyed in the summer transfer window by snapping up Rayan Cherki from Lyon – and now manager Pep Guardiola wants to repeat the trick.

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Cherki has proven one of the signings of the season. There was a sense that City were getting him cheap as they signed him for €30 million from cash-strapped Lyon, but he has fulfilled his promise in his first four months at the Etihad.

Across 17 matches in all competitions, the France international has delivered four goals and seven assists – a return of one decisive action every 69 minutes he’s been on the field.

Current ETV

Rayan Cherki

F (R), M (CR)

Man City

Rayan Cherki

F (R), M (CR)

Man City

ETV Range

€48.2M - €58.9M

And with an eye for the flamboyant, he has quickly emerged as a favourite of Man City fans and neutrals alike.

Following Cherki's success, Guardiola is exploring the possibility of returning to the French transfer market for another wide attacker.

Mathys Detourbet: A star in the making

Troyes star Mathys Detourbet is the player that Man City are considering, according to FootMercato.

Playing in France’s second tier, the France U20 international has established himself as a regular for the league leaders on the left wing, despite contributing just a couple of assists.

His overall level, though, has been eye-catching. According to data company SciSports, Detourbet has been the best-performing winger in Ligue 2 in the first half of the season.

There are elements to Cherki’s game evident in what he produces. He has acted as a winger this season for Troyes but was previously a centre-forward, and the belief if that he retains a certain scoring power – even if he is yet to show it in senior football.

Detourbet vs Ligue 2 wingers: Overall performance (2025/26)

Man City have crucial edge in Detourbet transfer battle

Roma made a bid worth €10 million in total for the teenager last summer, but this was dismissed.

Now there is mounting interest from Monaco, who want to “finalise the deal quickly”. On top of this, several Bundesliga sides are following Detourbet.

Manchester City and Guardiola have an ace card to play in this transfer battle, though. Troyes are part of the City Football Group and fall under the same ownership umbrella as the Premier League giants, something that is seen as a “significant advantage” as they aim to snap up another of football’s greatest young talents.

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