Rayan Cherki completes ‘dream’ £30.5m move to Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of highly-rated French playmaker Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyon in a deal worth an initial £30.5 million.

The 21-year-old is City’s third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea.

Cherki has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2030.

City wanted to complete before the transfer deadline for clubs participating in the upcoming Club World Cup. They managed to get it done by the skin of their teeth.

Cherki is one of the brightest young talents in Europe, and City have landed him for a bargain fee.

He joins after an outstanding 2024/25 season, where he helped Lyon qualify for the Europa League with a sixth-placed finish.

He bagged eight goals and 11 assists in 30 games. Cherki’s phenomenal performances stretched into Europe.

With four goals and eight assists in the Europa League, he was named Young Player of the Season and finished the competition as the top assist provider.

Cherki will join City’s squad as they prepare to jet off to the United States for their Club World Cup curtain raiser against Moroccan side Wydad AC next week.

He was on the radar of several Premier League teams. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot left his holiday at the end of May and flew to France to meet with Cherki.

Manchester United were also keen, while Fulham had a bid accepted by Lyon last year before the player eventually decided against a move.

AC Milan midfielder Tijani Reijnders could be the next to join City after Cherki. City have already agreed a £46.3 million move, and they could announce the deal in the coming days.