Five-year-deal
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Manchester City have completed a deal to sign Lyon’s talented attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki, who will now be available for the Sky Blues for the upcoming revamped Club World Cup. The 21-year-old Frenchman arrives for a fee believed to be in the region of €36m, plus €6m in possible add-ons as well as a 15% sell-on clause for the Ligue 1 side. The midfielder impressed on his France debut off the bench, scoring and assisting in the 5-4 Nations League defeat to Spain last Thursday. The Lyon-born attacking midfielder contributed 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 games in all competitions for Lyon last season, Man City begin their Club World Cup campaign against Wydad Casablanca.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has put pen to paper on a five-year deal, which keeps him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2030. In a Man City club statement, Cherki said: “This is a dream for me. Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special. I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff.” Cherki becomes the club’s second major signing of the summer, after they completed a deal for left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri this Monday. The Sky Blues are also expected to sign AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
Cherki made his senior debut as a 16-year-old, becoming Lyon’s youngest ever goalscorer, and later became the youngest player to feature in a Champions League semi-final when he was substituted on during Lyon’s tie with Bayern Munich. He is a player with tremendous technical ability. He is also extremely talented with both feet. At €36m, Cherki becomes Man City’s eighth most expensive midfielder in the club’s history and he could have some big shoes to fill if he is tasked with replacing the departing club legend Kevin De Bruyne.
