Fabrizio Romano Confirms Man City Are ‘in talks’ to Sign £25m Attacker | OneFootball

Manchester City Target Lyon Star Rayan Cherki in Summer Reshuffle

Manchester City are in discussions with Lyon over a potential move for French midfielder Rayan Cherki, with the treble-winners keen to complete their key transfer business before the Club World Cup kicks off in mid-June. At just 21, Cherki represents both promise and polish, a player Pep Guardiola could help mould into one of Europe’s most complete attackers.

Cherki Interest Signals Evolution at City

City’s move for Cherki, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, is not simply about depth. It reflects the club’s wider vision under Pep Guardiola: a constant evolution, never resting on its successes.

“Manchester City and OL are in club to club talks for Rayan Cherki,” Romano wrote, confirming the club’s pursuit.

Cherki has long been considered one of the most technically gifted young players in Ligue 1, boasting guile, control, and creativity. Comfortable in tight spaces and with a natural tendency to drift between lines, he fits the Guardiola blueprint. And crucially, City are confident they can secure his signature for a fee expected to exceed £25 million, a modest sum in today’s inflated market for a player of such pedigree.

Strategic Timing Before Club World Cup

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has made it clear that City want their business wrapped up early this summer. The Club World Cup, which begins in mid-June, is the target deadline for key arrivals.

This proactive approach is classic City. It reduces disruption, allows Guardiola to integrate new signings during pre-season, and avoids being held hostage by late-window inflation or rival interest. Cherki, with over 100 senior appearances for Lyon, is already seasoned at a young age and would be well-placed to hit the ground running.

Cherki’s Potential in Guardiola’s System

Cherki’s appeal lies not just in his technical quality, but in his adaptability. He can operate as a No.10, out wide, or even drop deeper into midfield, traits Guardiola prizes. The ability to glide past markers, dictate tempo, and unlock defences is part of his game, and under City’s structured attacking schemes, he could flourish.

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With the club also pursuing Tijani Reijnders of AC Milan to bolster central midfield, the strategy is clear: blend youth and tactical intelligence with Guardiola’s relentless demands. These are not marquee names for the sake of PR. They’re smart, calculated moves to ensure sustained dominance both domestically and in Europe.

Smart Business Reflects City’s Long-Term Model

In Cherki and Reijnders, City are identifying players with high ceilings and tactical malleability. The goal is to continue their era of dominance not through flashy spending, but through coherent squad-building.

The numbers reflect value, not risk. Cherki’s development at Lyon, and his experience across multiple attacking roles, offers City a chance to future-proof their squad as the likes of Kevin De Bruyne enter the twilight of their prime.