Man City Join the Race to Sign £20m Forward as Summer Plans Take Shape | OneFootball

Manchester City Enter Frame for Rayan Cherki

Manchester City’s summer recruitment is rarely rushed — but it is always precise. With their gaze firmly fixed on both present dominance and future depth, Pep Guardiola’s side are reportedly turning their attention to one of Ligue 1’s most creative young midfielders.

According to Sky Sports, City have now joined the pursuit of Rayan Cherki, the 21-year-old Lyon playmaker whose talent has long been tracked by European giants.

“The 21-year-old has already confirmed he will be leaving the French club this summer.”

His departure opens a door that Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, are clearly prepared to walk through.

Photo IMAGO

Numbers That Demand Attention

Cherki’s stats speak loudly: 12 goals and 20 assists across all competitions in the 2023–24 campaign for Lyon. Creative, versatile and still far from his ceiling, he possesses the kind of technical flair Guardiola is known to mould into elite precision.

Sky Sports also cite the belief that Cherki’s contract contains a £20 million release clause — a modest sum in today’s market for a player with such upside.

“Speculation about a move to the Premier League is rife and this report claims Cherki could be available for around £20m.”

Given his output and age profile, that figure borders on a bargain.

Long-Term Vision in Midfield

City may be blessed with talent in midfield — Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne — but they are also increasingly forward-thinking. De Bruyne is now the wrong side of 30, and though his quality remains undimmed, the need to plan for the future is as important as managing the present.

Cherki offers a compelling blend of attributes: directness, agility, and vision. He is comfortable in central pockets, on the flanks, or even as a false nine. He could be nurtured under Guardiola, refined and repurposed — just as so many others have been.

Photo IMAGO

Interest Building Across Premier League

City are not alone. Other English clubs are understood to be monitoring Cherki’s situation closely. The low release clause and his public confirmation of departure add to the urgency.

Cherki’s reputation has risen steadily over the last two seasons, and this summer could represent a rare moment of availability for a player who might normally be valued well beyond £20m.

Should Manchester City act swiftly, they may secure a rare combination: low-risk expenditure, high-ceiling talent, and immediate depth.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For a Manchester City fan, this is exactly the kind of link you want to see in the summer window — a young, technically gifted player who fits both the style and long-term vision of the club.

Rayan Cherki isn’t a name that dominates headlines, but those who’ve followed Ligue 1 know how dangerous he can be. 12 goals and 20 assists from a midfielder his age? That’s no fluke. He’s not just a highlight-reel player; there’s substance behind the skill.

And for £20m? That’s a deal you don’t pass up. In today’s market, that price for someone with his creative output and European pedigree is almost absurd. It also helps that he could learn under players like De Bruyne and Silva without the immediate pressure of starting every week.

Cherki feels like a player City can shape over the next few years into a top-tier asset — and in a post-De Bruyne world, that planning could prove crucial. There’s always risk with youth, but under Guardiola, this one feels like a smart, calculated bet.