£18.9million Forward ‘Wants to Join Liverpool’ This Summer – Report | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki’s Anfield Ambition Could Add New Flair to Liverpool’s Attack

As Liverpool’s summer transfer window plans take shape under Arne Slot, the name Rayan Cherki is gaining significant traction. The 21-year-old Lyon midfielder has become one of Europe’s hottest properties after a standout 2024/25 season. According to Give Me Sport, Cherki has made clear where he wants to go next: Merseyside.

“Cherki has decided that his preference is to head to Merseyside during the summer transfer window,” the outlet reported. This is an exciting development, especially considering that clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have also shown interest.

Cherki’s current contract situation is ripe for exploitation. With a reported €22.5/£18.9 million release clause, Liverpool see a perfect match between talent and value. For a player with 31 goal contributions this season, that fee feels like daylight robbery in today’s inflated market.

Photo: IMAGO

Eye-Catching Numbers Back Up the Hype

The metrics from Cherki’s campaign are nothing short of staggering. He ranks in the 99th percentile in assists (0.51 per 90 minutes), shot-creating actions (7.56), progressive passes (9.45), and successful take-ons (4.55) across Europe’s top five leagues. These figures show a player who consistently influences the game in the final third.

Such data profiles Cherki as not just creative, but elite. His ability to carry the ball forward and unlock defences with line-breaking passes is precisely what Liverpool have missed at times this past season — even amid their Premier League triumph under Slot.

Slot’s Tactical Vision Could Elevate Cherki Further

Under Arne Slot’s management, Liverpool have embraced a more fluid and technical attacking system. The Dutchman’s high-possession, dynamic brand of football is well-suited to a player like Cherki, whose flair and versatility allow him to slot into multiple roles — from a central creator to a wide playmaker.

Despite Liverpool’s reported interest in Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, Cherki remains a live option. Give Me Sport explained that “the Reds’ sudden interest in landing Bayer Leverkusen talisman Florian Wirtz has resulted in the Lyon playmaker being forced to remain patient.”

That patience may soon be rewarded. Cherki’s own comments suggest he’s ready for the next chapter:

“I don’t know,” he said when asked about his future. “In any case, I know that I gave everything for the club. I did everything I could for Lyon… Today, I have no regrets. Whatever happens, I will give everything until my last minute for the club.”

Those are the words of a player emotionally prepared for departure — one who wants to leave on good terms but who clearly has bigger ambitions in mind.

Photo: IMAGO

Cherki’s Style Offers Something Different

At just 21, Cherki already plays with the maturity of a seasoned international. His footballing intelligence allows him to drift between the lines, while his dribbling skills can tear through rigid defensive blocks. That combination of finesse and directness could add a new dimension to Liverpool’s attacking structure.

While Liverpool’s interest in midfielders like Wirtz is well-documented, Cherki provides an intriguing alternative — less expensive, equally creative, and arguably more versatile. This is a player whose ceiling is yet to be reached, and under Slot, the stage could be set for his evolution into a Premier League star.

Photo: IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this link to Rayan Cherki feels exciting — and smart. There’s a lot of noise around high-profile names like Florian Wirtz, but Cherki could be the shrewder move. He’s younger, potentially more mouldable under Arne Slot, and crucially, he wants to be here. That’s a powerful factor — players who choose Anfield over Manchester City or Spurs don’t do so lightly.

The €22.5 million release clause is an absolute bargain by modern standards, and his technical ability is rare for a player his age. The most compelling part is his statistical profile — we’re talking about a player who ranks among the best in Europe for progressive passes and take-ons. That screams “final-third playmaker,” and it’s exactly the sort of player Liverpool lacked when trying to break down low blocks last season.

Slot’s title-winning side did so through cohesion and tactical discipline. Injecting someone like Cherki — who plays with instinct and improvisation — could be the ideal spice to keep opponents guessing. For all the talk about a post-Klopp rebuild, Slot might just be building something even more exciting. And if Cherki is the next addition, we’re all in.