Negotiations with Rayan Cherki over personal terms could ‘drag on’ as Manchester City eye imminent transfer | OneFootball

Manchester City could see talks with Rayan Cherki and his representatives over personal terms ‘drag on’ for a little longer, it has been reported.

The France international has firmly emerged as the number one priority target for Pep Guardiola’s attacking midfield role this summer as Kevin De Bruyne moves closer towards finalising his own move.

Manchester City’s Belgium international departs the Etihad Stadium after 10 legendary years with the club, winning every trophy available while breaking records along the way, and is expected to join Napoli on a free transfer this summer.

The decision not to extend the 33-year-old’s contract has sparked a market-wide search for a new creative outlet in Guardiola’s line-up, with Florian Wirtz and Dani Olmo among the first to be mentioned as potential successors.

But concerns over the finances involved in a prospective deal for the former and caution over the length of time it could take to do a deal for the latter have led Manchester City to look elsewhere, and as such the emergence of Rayan Cherki.

According to the information of Sky’s Sacha Tavolieri, while an agreement between Manchester City and Lyon ‘should be easy’ to conclude, talks with the player over personal terms ‘could still drag on for a few days’.

However, it is stressed that the 21-year-old has already expressed openness to the idea of ​​working with Pep Guardiola, and believes he can ‘reveal his full potential’ under the coaching of the legendary Catalan tactician.

For now, the player’s entourage are working to finalise personal terms and expect the midfielder to sign a long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium, with the exact duration of that deal still yet to be determined.

Nevertheless, the report indicates that there is optimism over the possible transfer of the player and all parties hope to conclude the deal this week ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup and a return to training at City on Monday 9 June for those not on international duties.

Pep Guardiola and his players will be gearing up for a three-game group stage at this summer’s new-look competition, with opposition made up of Italian giants Juventus, Morocco’s Wydad AC, and the United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain.

Manchester City remain hopeful of Rayan Cherki perhaps not being the only new face starring for the club in the United States, with advancing negotiations concerning AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders and Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri.

It remains to be seen just how much more business City will look to conduct in the window beyond that trio of new arrivals, with Tino Livramento of Newcastle a stand-out option for right-back, while other additions may only follow exits from the squad.