CaughtOffside: Milan among clubs eyeing Lyon star in potential ‘bargain’ €30m deal | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki is expected to leave Lyon during the summer transfer window and AC Milan have been named among his potential suitors.

According to a report from CaughtOffside, a number of top European clubs are exploring the idea of trying to sign Cherki, the highly-rated playmaker at Olympique Lyonnais. Above all, Manchester United and Tottenham are ‘leading the race’ to land him.

However, Bayern Munich are keen on him also, but Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are ‘all keeping a close eye’ on the 21-year-old after another impressive season from a personal standpoint.

Cherki – who is now coached by the former Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca – has racked up 12 goals this season and has added 19 assists. Lyon have set an asking price of €30-35m as a result, but plenty of the aforementioned teams ‘consider it a bargain given his exceptional talent and quality’.

The forward himself is ‘keen on a new challenge’ and would prefer a move to the Premier League, which he views to be a switch to playing at the highest level. Crystal Palace are another interested suitor as they might have to replace Eberechi Eze ahead of 2025-26.

Milan have recently been linked with Riccardo Orsolini by various sources which shows that they are in the market for a new right winger, which has been Cherki’s main position this season. The sale of Samuel Chukwueze could raise much-needed funds for a signing.