Rayan Cherki on Barcelona and Real Madrid's radar amid City doubt | OneFootball

The situation at Manchester City has put several of its top stars under the microscope of Europe’s biggest clubs. One of the names beginning to attract interest is Rayan Cherki, whose excellent start to the season has made him even more appealing on the market.

The 23-year-old Frenchman is enjoying a standout spell in the team managed by Enzo Maresca and has also earned an important place in the French national team.

Uncertainty in Manchester grew after an independent commission found City guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period. The sanctions have not yet been imposed, and the club is preparing an appeal, so the institution’s sporting future is still yet to be determined.

Cherki, one of City’s biggest names

Cherki joined Manchester City for the 2025/26 season and quickly began to show his ability to make a difference in the final third.

During the opening stages of the 2026/27 campaign, he has taken another step forward, and his performances have also allowed him to become an important option for the French national team.

His ability to play between the lines, create chances, and contribute goals makes him one of the most attractive players in City’s current squad.

In addition, his contract with the English club runs until June 2030, meaning any deal would require negotiations with the club.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are monitoring his situation

According to information cited by TEAMtalk, Arsenal and Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs that have shown interest in Cherki, while in Spain both Barcelona and Real Madrid have been tracking his progress.

PSG also appears among the teams that could consider a move for the player, which would open up the possibility of Cherki returning to France.

The interest does not mean there is currently any formal negotiation for the player. His situation will depend, to a large extent, on what happens with Manchester City during the disciplinary process.

City’s punishment will shape the situation

The independent commission found Manchester City guilty of charges related to serious financial breaches and of most of the accusations concerning its failure to cooperate during the investigation. Possible consequences include financial and sporting sanctions, including a potential points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League, although none of these sanctions has been confirmed so far.

City, for its part, maintains its defensive stance and plans to appeal the verdict.

Therefore, any scenario involving a major change to the sporting project could trigger movement within the squad.

Rayan Cherki is one of the players already on the radar of several European giants, although for now his future remains contractually tied to Manchester City.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.