Rayan Cherki labels Manchester City interest as “credible” in open discussion on future | OneFootball

Lyon and France international Rayan Cherki has openly discussed his club future in a new interview with week amid ongoing transfer interest from Manchester City.

Cherki has been heavily linked with a sensational switch to the Etihad Stadium after Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak declared the club are aiming to announce all new arrivals in time for their FIFA Club World Cup campaign.

The 21-year-old has been identified as a suitable long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to be announced as a Napoli player after agreeing to join the Serie A side on a two-year contract having been told he has no future at Manchester City beyond the summer.

Manchester City are understood to have agreed personal terms with Cherki and are negotiating a transfer fee with Lyon, who are believed to value their star attacking midfielder in the region of €35-40 million.

Speaking during a wide-ranging interview with French newspaper L’Equipe, Rayan Cherki was quizzed on his next steps in club football, insisting that any decision on a new club would only be made by himself.

“I’ll be the only one to decide my future; no one will decide for me how, why, or where,” the 21-year-old insisted.

“I don’t want to suffer,” he added. “There are a lot of players suffering, but time passes quickly. I hope in 10 or 15 years I’ll be able to say I’m proud of myself and my choices.”

On how a club would need to go about convincing Cherki over a move, the Lyon playmaker revealed, “I need to be talked to about football, football and more football. Pure and simple.”

But where would suit a player of his quality best? Much has been made about a potential dilemma between Liverpool and Manchester City, for example, while Rayan Cherki has insisted that he could adapt to any given system in the game.

“I’m ready for any system,” the France international insisted. “I work every day, physically and mentally, to be ready. Above all, I’m trying to choose the best option for me, to develop as a person and a footballer.”

The Lyon star has also been speaking as part of media duties while on national team duties with France, facing a press conference on Monday afternoon when the midfielder was asked whether interest from Manchester City could be deemed as ‘credible’.

“All options are credible. For now I’m focused on the two important games we have to play with the (France) National Team and we will see what happens after,” Cherki responded.

Talks are reportedly progressing between Manchester City and Lyon over Cherki, who Guardiola want to be part of his travelling squad to the United States for the Club World Cup as Manchester City players not involved with their respective National Teams are expected back in training next week.

Cherki is also likely to see AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders follow him through door into the Etihad Stadium, where Hugo Viana will replace Txiki Begiristain as Manchester City’s director of football in the coming months.

Manchester City have also reached an agreement to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri and are negotiating a fee with Wolves for the right-back, who will be brought in as a long-term replacement for Kyle Walker, who is out of contract at the club next summer and will be sold permanently in the coming months.