Man City make £34m move for Rayan Cherki as Man Utd target decides on transfer

Rayan Cherki is generating plenty of interest from top clubs after his incredible season saw him score 12 and assist 19 in all competitions, with Manchester City becoming the leading favourites to sign him

Manchester City have emerged as favourites to sign Lyon star Rayan Cherki this summer, with the midfielder eager to link up with Pep Guardiola's men, according to reports. Cherki has become one of Europe's hottest properties after a stellar season in Ligue 1.

The 21-year-old enjoyed an incredible season, scoring 12 goals and assisting 19 in all competitions, and with Lyon only mustering a sixth-placed finish he is now being tipped for a move to a top European club.

Manchester United were previously tipped as a destination for Cherki, after watching him score twice against them in the Europa League this season. But after missing out on European football, a move to their rivals City looks more likely.

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, a move to City is "accelerating" for Cherki - who was voted in the Ligue 1 team of the season following his sparkling creative displays.

The report states City "appreciate" Cherki's talents and see him as an ideal replacement for the outgoing Kevin de Bruyne. Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz was previously a big target for City, but Bayern Munich and Liverpool have now jumped to the front of the queue.

Cherki's preference is to play in the No 10 role - which is where City would want to play him, it goes on. The Sky Blues are now ramping up talks with the player's team and are "very confident" over a deal.

The boyhood Lyon star has given the thumbs up over moving to the Etihad and is excited about the prospect of playing under Guardiola, who he has already spoken to - the report claims.

Cherki wants to sort his future out as quickly as possible in a deal that could earn Lyon around £34m - though he does have a release clause of £25m. Cherki has a contract at Lyon that runs until next summer

He has hinted he could have played his final game for Lyon after admitting he has "done everything I could" for the club, saying it will "always be in my heart".

"I don’t know," he said when asked about his future. "In any case, I know I’ve given my all for the club. I’ve done everything I could for OL, because it’s a club I’ll never forget, one that will always be in my heart.

"I stayed when a lot of players left. Today, I have no regrets. Whatever happens, I’ll give my all to the last minute for the club. I’ve only got OL on my mind, and I’d never call on anyone else."

Cherki joined Lyon aged six and began playing for its reserve team at the age of 15. He became the first team's youngest ever scorer at 16 in 2020 and has gone on to make 185 appearances, scoring 29 times.