Man City close on £34m transfer as summer business passes £111m | OneFootball

Man City Step Up in Market as Cherki Deal Nears Completion

Cherki Set to Join Guardiola’s Evolving Midfield

Manchester City are closing in on Rayan Cherki, with The Times reporting a £34 million deal agreed with Lyon. The French playmaker, only 21, is being tipped to slot into Pep Guardiola’s system with a fluidity that suits City’s possession-heavy game.

Capable of playing as a No10 or drifting wide, Cherki brings end product in abundance. Last season’s haul of 12 goals and 20 assists across all competitions underlined his growing influence. A debut goal for France in a pulsating 5-4 loss to Spain only added to his stock.

Photo IMAGO

Cherki’s creativity arrives at a time when City need to fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian’s departure leaves a significant creative vacuum and Cherki, though still developing, offers a new dimension.

Photo IMAGO

Strategic Moves for Club World Cup

City’s business is not limited to Cherki. This pre-Club World Cup window, open until Tuesday at 7pm, has seen the club spend beyond £111 million. Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has signed on a five-year deal worth £31.2 million plus £5.1 million in add-ons. Meanwhile, a £46.3 million agreement is in place with AC Milan for Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.

Photo: IMAGO

In goal, City are also targeting a backup option in Marcus Bettinelli. The ambition is clear. With the Club World Cup beginning on June 15, Guardiola wants his squad finalised and sharp.

Refreshing the Core of the Squad

These signings suggest a quiet evolution within Guardiola’s squad. Younger, versatile, technically gifted players are being brought in with the long-term in mind. It is not just about defending domestic honours, but staking a claim as kings of global football.

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Losing De Bruyne was always going to sting, but replacing him with someone as fearless and flamboyant as Cherki shows intent.

“He’s got that swagger we’ve missed,” one fan posted on social media. “The kind of player who can dance through a packed defence and still pick out a pass.”

Adding Ait-Nouri gives Guardiola even more tactical flexibility, while Reijnders looks like a smart pick in midfield, balancing grit with control. It’s a window of business that feels more about future-proofing than just plugging gaps.

City’s spine is evolving and with the Club World Cup on the horizon, these moves aren’t just reactionary. They’re strategic. They’re bold. And they’re typically City.