All the information you require on Rayan Cherki as Liverpool gets ready for a hectic summer transfer window

Liverpool has made Rayan Cherki a target ahead of the summer transfer season. While he still plays well for Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1, the 20-year-old has been strongly linked to a move to the Premier League for some time.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly approached the French giants about a possible move for Cherki, according to Sports Zone, a French outlet. According to the source, Paris Saint-Germain is still considering the France Under-23 international who wishes to move out of Groupama Stadium.

The futures of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz at Anfield are uncertain, so it looks like the Reds are getting ready for their possible exits. In addition, Mohamed Salah’s contract is set to expire in 2019; there has been persistent conjecture that he may relocate to Saudi Arabia.

As things stand, international teams will soon have the opportunity to start pre-contract negotiations with the Egyptian about a free transfer. According to Liverpool Echo, Al-Ittihad’s verbal £150 million offer for Salah was turned down last summer.

If there’s any indication that he could look to move on, it’s thought that Saudi Pro League teams will give it another go this season. Additionally eager to make his mark on the Liverpool squad, Arne Slot has allegedly taken a shine to Cherki.

Everything you need to know about the Reds’ most recent purported transfer target has been compiled by Liverpool Echo.

Who is this guy?

Cherki, whose contract at the Groupama Stadium expires in 2025, has made 33 appearances for Lyon in the top league in France this year, but he has only contributed six assists and one goal. Despite having a slow start to the season, the Frenchman was crucial to Pierre Sage’s team’s Conference League qualifying.

Cherki participated in every round of the competition, recording two goals and three assists, and he also assisted Lyon in reaching the Coupe de France final. Unfortunately for the young player, PSG prevailed at the last end.

What is the price of him?

Cherki is presently valued at €40 million (£34 million) by the CIES Football Observatory, however Transfermarkt values him at €25 million (£21.3 million). His Lyon contract expires the next year, therefore clubs outside of France can start pre-contract negotiations before he becomes available for a free transfer in June 2025. He can be had for a discounted price.

Is there anyone else who might be interested?

As reported by GFFN, Cherki is also attracting interest from Tottenham and PSG, according to French publication Sports Zone. As Chelsea searched for a new right winger to sign, the Frenchman was reportedly among numerous names on their shortlist last summer, according to our sister site football.london.

Cole Palmer was finally signed by the Blues on deadline day. The Blues reportedly sent scouts to watch Cherki star multiple times, and they also reportedly kept an eye on Malo Gusto’s development—the player was signed in January 2023.

Who is his playing style?

Martin Mosnier likened Cherki to Hatem Ben Arfa and Eden Hazard in an interview with TNT Sports. The French commentator stated: “Cherki is a fantastic dribbler. When watching him, it’s easy to realise that he appears to be ambipedal because he uses both feet equally well.

“Key passes, dribbling, and the capacity to create something out of nothing are some of his strong points. He might develop into a Premier League star similar to Eden Hazard, but I don’t think he should leave just yet.”

Regarding him, what has been said?

The president of Lyon openly attacked Paris Saint-Germain in January 2023 for their ‘insulting’ bid for Cherki. “I had a long time with Nasser [al-Khelaifi], who called me on Saturday evening, to find out whether or not we were in negotiations for Rayan Cherki,” Jean-Michel Aulas stated in an interview with RMC Sport.

When I told him no, Nasser said, ‘Okay, it’s finished,’ adding that PSG wouldn’t make another offer as a result. I appreciate his candid and straightforward communication. Although we didn’t negotiate, the offer’s quality was offensive.

Laurent Blanc talked about Cherki’s future in July 2023. He stated, “Lyon must say, okay if these are figures at an impressive level, but on the other hand at this price, I tell him to stay one more year in Lyon,” in an interview with the French publication Le Progres, as reported by RMC Sport.

“I’d be quite upset if he went. The same holds true for Cherki. particularly since we created space for them. Perhaps I’m being a little selfish, but it would be a bit early.”

Fabio Gross gave Cherki a lot of praise in October 2023. The former Lyon manager, as cited by the French publication RMC Sport, stated: “I knew about Rayan Cherki prior to his performance in the Espoirs [France Under-21s] game.

Everyone hopes he can turn his enormous potential into a steady performance since he is full of possibility. Is he a unique participant? He is not a unique player; he is just a player. He is a player just like any other, but has a few extra attributes.

“However, mental and athletic attributes are equally as important as technical ones. He needs to focus on the other skills, even though he has great technical ability.”

Then, after the team defeated Strasbourg in the quarterfinal of the Coupe de France, Pierre Sage gave an explanation of how he is handling the young player’s expectations. “We’re patient with him and will not give up because he’s a kid from the club,” the Lyon manager stated.

“It’s his patience today which is his strength and we’re waiting for his performances to stabilise and allow him to have more playing time.”