Some transfers represent a free hit and a Manchester City move for Rayan Cherki could be exactly that | OneFootball

One player who emerged as a potential transfer target for Manchester City yesterday was Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki. Mike McGrath reported for The Telegraph that Manchester City had joined the race to sign Cherki from Lyon this summer. It was also included in McGrath’s report that Cherki is set to leave Lyon this summer. McGarth added that Cherki could be available for between £20-25 million this summer.

Looking at Rayan Cherki’s obvious talent, age, and potential, that transfer fee does represent a free hit of sorts. Is a move for Rayan Cherki a punt that Manchester City is willing to take? The upside to signing Cherki is massive. It does appear to a move that could provide dividends, and the risk may be outweighed by the potential gain.

The upside of Manchester City signing Rayan Cherki is potentially massive.

Manchester City is screaming out for creativity in midfield. That has stood out throughout the 24/25 season. If Phil Foden could get back to his best next season, that would help address this issue. But besides Foden returning to form, Pep Guardiola’s squad would benefit from adding another player who can unlock a defence. A move for AC Milan Tijjani Reijnders would help in this regard. The Dutch international is a goalscoring midfielder. But he tends to operate as a number eight in midfield, and his ability to make late runs into the box are reminiscent of Ilkay Gundogan at his best. To find someone to find those types of runs and potentially feed Erling Haaland, a player like Rayan Cherki could almost be the ideal signing.

Cherki is a magician when in possession. In terms of creative players in Europe, there aren’t many better. The statistics below paint the picture of Rayan Cherki as a player. He is a creative force with an eye for goal. His dribbling ability is elite, and it helps him thrive in tight spaces and the pockets so to speak. Cherki is also a versatile player who can play on either wing or as a number 10. For Lyon, during the 24/25 season, Cherki played on the right wing on 21 occasions. Perhaps that would be where he would fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad if Manchester City signed him.

Based on the upside in Cherki’s game and his prodigious talent, a Manchester City move for the Lyon playmaker makes sense.

Are the question marks that surround Cherki enough to put Manchester City off?

Speaking with L’Equipe earlier this season, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry pointed out that there were issues with Rayan Cherki’s ability out of possession. But Henry added that they had improved. Speaking on Cherki, he explained: “Everyone knows what he can do. And this season, he has shown that he also knows how to do what is expected of him without the ball, that is to say, adapt to a system.”

“His problem was that he had never been able to play a string of matches to show what an extraordinary player he is. But to play a string of matches, he had to do things, defensively, throughout the duration of a match.“

“This season, he did it, so he played a string of matches. I appreciate this kid so much. It’s just at certain times you had to be tough, like a father with his son.”

So perhaps a manager like Pep Guardiola would be perfect for Rayan Cherki. Guardiola wouldn’t allow Cherki to not contribute to his team out of possession. As Henry said that may be exactly what Cherki needs to fulfil his obvious potential.

Rayan Cherki as a player is one of the most tantalising prospects in the game. If Mike McGrath’s report is correct that he is available for between £20-25 million that is almost a free hit in the transfer market for Manchester City. Perhaps it is a swing that is good to resist. If Manchester City did sign Cherki and he didn’t adjust to life at the Etihad that would be a transfer fee that Manchester City could easily recoup. The more you look into it the more a City move for Rayan Cherki just makes sense.