£20m Rated Star Has Rejected A Move To Manchester City: Will It Affect Pep Guardiola’s Side? | OneFootball

Manchester City have been analysing options to strengthen their attacking midfield for weeks. Although the team has quality and depth, the board considers it important to sign young players with potential, vision and the ability to break through lines.

Several names have been on the club’s agenda, but closing deals has not been easy. With the summer transfer window set to start, the Citizens have yet to secure any key signings for that area of the pitch. While other teams are making quick moves, Pep Guardiola’s club continues to encounter obstacles, whether due to financial issues or personal decisions by the targeted players.

Rayan Cherki Has Rejected A Move To Manchester City

This week, the name of Rayan Cherki has been the focus of the Citizens’ interest. The young Lyon attacking midfielder, who has shone during the last season in France, seemed an accessible option. According to Football Insider, the English club had made progress in its interest and were willing to pay the £20 million demanded by the French side.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Rayan Cherki of Olympique Lyonnais encourages the crowd during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford on April 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

However, the player himself has raised doubts. Despite appreciating City’s interest, Cherki fears he will not get enough playing time if he signs for a team full of attacking stars. That perception has put any possible deal on hold.

Will It Affect Pep Guardiola’s Side?

From a sporting point of view, Cherki’s refusal may seem irrelevant to a club like City, which rarely runs out of options. However, the rejection hints at something deeper. Despite their prestige, the team may be unattractive to young players looking for an immediate starring role. Cherki is not the first to prefer continuity over prestige.

Guardiola manages a team where earning a place takes time, and that can put off more than one player. Rather than seeing it as a blow to the club’s ego, it can be interpreted as a sign of how high the bar is set within the squad. At the same time, it highlights the importance of convincing the player, not just the selling club.

It is not enough to have money and a successful project. City may need to adjust their approach when it comes to promising players who still need room to grow. Cherki’s refusal is a warning, not an irreversible problem. But it does suggest that the club need to offer more than just titles: minutes, clear roles and real development.