Manchester City identify Netherlands international as potential Rayan Cherki transfer alternative | OneFootball

Etihad Stadium bosses have an alternative option to turn to in the event of a late twist in their pursuit of Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, according to new reports from France.

The French international has emerged as the firm primary option for Manchester City officials this summer as they continue to search for reinforcements in the creative midfield department in light of Kevin De Bruyne’s pending exit from the club.

Club officials had originally identified Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz as their go-to target to succeed the Belgian legend, but were ultimately forced to withdraw interest amid concerns over the mounting costs of a potential financial package for the player.

As such, Manchester City have felt more comfortable in sanctioning quick fire deals before the June 10 deadline in the window ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, reaching their first agreement of the window for Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan pending a medical.

And while there remains optimism in the search for a new midfielder and particularly their chances of signing Rayan Cherki from Lyon this summer, Manchester City have lined up a back-up target to swoop in on should there be a dramatic u-turn from the 21-year-old.

That is according to the information of L’Equipe’s Loic Tanzi and Hugo Guillemet, who reveal that RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons is not expected to remain with the German club this summer and among his suitors are Manchester City – who will first prioritise a deal for Rayan Cherki.

On the subject of the 21-year-old, it is claimed that the France international has not yet agreed to join City, but a deal has ‘made progress in recent hours’ and both parties are close to reaching a contractual agreement.

From the side of the two clubs involved in a prospective deal, it is insisted that Manchester City officials are expected, in the coming hours, to make their official financial offer to Olympique Lyonnais.

Beyond the signing of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, Manchester City are also confident over their chances of welcoming in a new left-back into Pep Guardiola’s side – their first natural operator in the role since Benjamin Mendy.

That concerns Wolverhampton Wanderers and Algeria international Rayan Ait-Nouri, who is believed to be keen on the switch to the Etihad Stadium having long been admired by scouts from the club in past seasons.

As things stand, there is believed to be a minor difference between the two clubs over a transfer fee, with Manchester City understood to be valuing the 23-year-old at around £35 million in the current market and given his Molineux contract – running until next summer.