Man Utd and Liverpool tracking gifted star ahead of summer move | OneFootball

Cherki’s Redemption: Man Utd and Liverpool Circle as Lyon’s Maverick Finally Matures

Raw Talent Refined on Europe’s Stage

There was a moment in Lyon last week, just seconds from the final whistle, when everything changed. Rayan Cherki, long touted as a generational talent and just as often criticised for unfulfilled promise, pounced on a lapse from André Onana and slotted the ball home with an impudence that felt inevitable. In a game of knife-edge margins, it was the Lyon forward who dictated the final act.

Photo IMAGO

“If they discovered Rayan last week, it’s because they haven’t watched much football in recent months,” chuckled Corentin Tolisso, awaiting Lyon’s press conference in the bowels of the Theatre of Dreams. Tolisso, like many inside French football, has known for years what Cherki is capable of. Now, the rest of Europe is taking notice.

Cherki, a player reborn, one reportedly on the radar of both Manchester United and Liverpool.

Numbers That Demand Attention

It’s easy to understand the sudden surge of interest. In 36 appearances this season across all competitions, Cherki has produced 9 goals and 18 assists. His tally of 8 assists leads the Europa League, while he ranks joint-top in Ligue 1 alongside PSG’s Bradley Barcola and FC Nantes’ Moses Simon. No longer just a showreel footballer, Cherki has begun to influence games decisively and consistently.

Photo IMAGO

This is no longer the teenager who stormed out after being benched against Bordeaux, nor the player managers once benched for lack of tactical discipline. Fabio Grosso famously downplayed him as “a player, not an exceptional player,” yet now, even Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca admits: “He’s a technically different player.”

Maturity and Momentum Align

A key change behind the scenes may have tipped the scales. In October, Cherki parted ways with his previous representative, Bilel Ghazi, and joined forces with France’s ‘super agent’ Moussa Sissoko, whose client list includes Dayot Upamecano and Ousmane Dembélé. The move came not long after Lyon owner John Textor publicly called for a “#NewAgentPlease”, having been left frustrated by transfer leaks and contract stand-offs.

“You know like me that after such a change, most of the time, it’s followed by a transfer,” noted Le Progrès journalist Arnaud Clement. Lyon’s financial pressures only make a summer move more likely.

Indeed, The Daily Mail confirms that Cherki’s release clause – verbally agreed to be in the region of £25 million – is well within reach of Europe’s elite. Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and PSG are all reportedly circling.

United’s Past Interest and Missed Opportunity

Manchester United, in particular, have a long-standing history with Cherki. Back in 2019, as a precocious 15-year-old, Cherki visited United’s Carrington training base. At the time, L’Equipe reported that “Manchester United is under the spell of the 15-year-old player”. Yet no deal materialised, and Cherki returned to Lyon to continue his development – a journey littered with brilliance, frustration and controversy in equal measure.

There’s a certain symmetry to it all now. Cherki, the one that got away, coming back to torment a United side still unsure of its direction. And it’s not just the goal last week that made his case. Against England’s U21s in Lorient, he toyed with defenders, providing two assists in seven minutes and adding a goal. It was football on fast forward.

Photo: IMAGO

His Lyon teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles captured the mood best: “He’s the greatest natural talent I’ve ever seen. An absolute master, a magician with the ball. He takes risks, makes assists and brings us up the pitch by taking people on and pushing them to the limit – he’s a genius.”

Liverpool Join the Queue

If Manchester United’s interest is nostalgic, Liverpool’s is pragmatic. The need for creative reinforcement is evident. Mohamed Salah’s influence remains, but the squad is evolving. Cherki, with his ability to break lines, beat defenders and unlock deep blocks, fits the blueprint of a Liverpool forward who thrives in space and structure.

Slot has a reputation for developing expressive talents, and Cherki could flourish in a system that balances flair with functional discipline. While his technical ceiling is undisputed, what’s changed is his application – something Slot will want to nurture, not constrain.

A modest release clause, exceptional form, and maturing temperament all point to a player finally ready to fulfil his billing.

And if the past seven months are anything to go by, Rayan Cherki might just be worth every ounce of the risk.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For fans of both clubs, the excitement around Cherki is real, and for good reason.

From a Manchester United perspective, there’s something irresistible about the idea of unfinished business. Cherki was a missed opportunity once, a teen prodigy who slipped through their fingers. Now, matured and more effective, he could be the creative wildcard they’ve been lacking. Someone who plays between the lines, commits defenders, and offers unpredictability – the sort of player Bruno Fernandes can connect with, and who can lift Old Trafford off its seat.

From a Liverpool view, this feels like a savvy move to complement the transition under Arne Slot. Cherki wouldn’t have to be the main man immediately, but his skill set is tailor-made for a system built on verticality, pressing, and positional flexibility. A risk at £25 million? Maybe. But in this market, it’s more of a calculated bet than a gamble.

Both clubs need ingenuity in attack. Both have the pedigree to guide him. Cherki is no longer just a talent – he’s a talent ready to explode. Whoever gets him could be unlocking a diamond.