According to journalist Loïc Tanzi of L`Équipe, 21-year-old attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki has finalised his contract ahead of his anticipated transfer from his boyhood club Olympique Lyonnais to Manchester City.
The France international is expected to move to the Etihad Stadium in a transfer package reportedly exceeding €40 million. This significant switch to Manchester, leaving behind Lyon where he has spent his entire playing career, is timed just before the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. With the deal anticipated to be formally completed before Tuesday`s deadline, Cherki is projected to be available for the tournament and is set to travel to the United States with his new Manchester City teammates.
L`Équipe had previously reported on Monday that the young Frenchman was set to sign a five-year agreement with the reigning Premier League champions. Manchester City successfully secured his signature despite facing strong interest from several other major European clubs. As reported by L`Équipe, Liverpool manager Arne Slot reportedly held conversations with Cherki in an attempt to persuade the Lyon player to join Anfield. Additionally, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur were all mentioned as clubs that had been linked with a move for the highly-rated talent.
