MAN CITY EYE CHERKI AS NEW NO.10! GUARDIOLA'S SIDE OPEN TALKS FOR LYON STAR OVER GIBBS-WHITE
Manchester City are stepping up their plans for a major summer rebuild, with rising French star Rayan Cherki now emerging as a key target for Pep Guardiola’s side. Sources close to the club reveal that preliminary transfer talks have begun with Olympique Lyonnais over a deal that could bring the highly-rated attacking midfielder to the Etihad.
Cherki, 21, has had a breakthrough season with Lyon, showcasing his ability to dictate play in the final third. His technical flair, close control, and vision have drawn comparisons to some of Europe’s elite creators, and his performances have caught the attention of top Premier League clubs. But it is Manchester City who have taken the first serious steps toward signing him.
Cherki: The Profile Guardiola Wants
City are reportedly viewing Cherki as a long-term solution for the creative midfield role—possibly inheriting the No.10 shirt—as Guardiola begins to reshape his squad amid uncertainties over the futures of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva. With De Bruyne linked with a move to Italy and Silva reportedly weighing interest from La Liga, City’s recruitment strategy is focused on securing younger players who can grow under Guardiola's system.
Cherki fits that mold perfectly. The France U21 international contributed 12 goals and 20 assists across all competitions in the 2024–25 season, including standout performances in both Ligue 1 and the Europa League. His dribbling ability, combined with his natural flair and creativity, earned him recognition as one of the most exciting young talents in Europe.
City Shift Gaze from Gibbs-White
Initially, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White was also being considered as a target, especially given his Premier League experience and strong displays in recent seasons. However, sources indicate that City’s recruitment team now views Cherki as a more dynamic and higher-upside option, particularly given his age and stylistic compatibility with City’s fluid attacking play.
The club's decision not to prioritize Gibbs-White has reportedly cooled interest from other Premier League rivals, as Chelsea and Spurs also assess their summer midfield targets.
Negotiations Underway
Lyon, meanwhile, are open to selling Cherki this summer due to their ongoing financial pressures. While the French club would prefer to keep their homegrown talent, their failure to qualify for the Champions League has limited their financial flexibility. A fee in the region of €22.5 million is expected to be enough to seal the deal, although Lyon may try to negotiate for performance-based add-ons or a sell-on clause.
City are reportedly hoping to finalize the deal ahead of their involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup in June, which they view as a valuable opportunity to integrate new signings and give emerging players crucial experience on the global stage.
The Bigger Picture
Should the move for Cherki materialize, it would represent another step in Guardiola’s ongoing squad evolution. With Ilkay Gündogan having departed last year and potential exits looming for other senior midfielders, City’s recruitment drive this summer could be one of their most pivotal yet.
Adding Cherki to a squad already brimming with young talent like Phil Foden, Julian Álvarez, and Rico Lewis would underscore City’s commitment to building not just for now—but for the next decade.
More developments are expected in the coming days as negotiations progress between Manchester City and Lyon. For now, fans can expect Cherki to remain a central figure in City’s transfer plans as Guardiola looks to shape his next great team.
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