Cherki eligible for Italy as FIGC make contact with France delegation | OneFootball

Lyon and France U21 star Rayan Cherki is understood to be eligible to represent the Italy national team at senior level, and the Italian delegation have reportedly made contacts with their French counterparts in an attempt to get him to play for Luciano Spalletti rather than Didier Deschamps.

The 21-year-old has earned 20 caps for France’s U21 side, scoring 12 goals in the process. He also scored twice and featured in every game during the Olympic Games in Paris over the summer, however, he is yet to receive a call-up to the senior France national team.

Though only 21 years of age, Cherki is already an experienced head in Ligue 1, having made his professional debut as a 16-year-old back in 2019. He has already made 152 appearances for Lyon’s senior side, including 123 in the league.

He is also Lyon’s youngest ever goalscorer, having found the net at the age of 16 years and 140 days.

France U21 star Cherki eligible for Italy national team

Cherki was born in France and is of Algerian descent, but according to Corriere dello Sport, he also has Italian heritage through his paternal grandmother. The grandparent in question is reportedly of Puglian origins.

French outlet RMC claims that the Italian delegation took advantage of Italy U21s recent 2-2 draw with France, during which Cherki scored, to discuss the possibility of convincing him to play for the Azzurri with his representatives.