Manchester City will be keeping a close eye on Premier League champions Liverpool’s transfer activity ahead of the 2025/2026 season.
Arne Slot means business in the following campaign as well, as the Reds have already signed Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong this summer.
However, with Manchester City bringing in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Marcus Bettinelli, the Sky Blues’ business suggests they will be far better than they were last season.
With Pep Guardiola in high spirits behind the scenes as well, City will have revenge on their mind coming into next season.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot could rue not signing Rayan Cherki after holding talks
Arne Slot held talks with Cherki before Wirtz’s move to Anfield which shows that both Liverpool and Manchester City have a similar list of targets on their respective shortlists.
However, Cherki could make Slot rue his decision not to sign him as the 21-year-old’s performances at the FIFA Club World Cup have shown that he is ready to take the Premier League by storm.
Manchester City FC midfielder Rayan Cherki
Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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The Frenchman already seems to be gelling with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, linking up with the Manchester City pair to score and assist two wonderful goals against Al-Ain and Al Hilal respectively.
Gael Clichy called Cherki a “tactical weapon” and his ability to break down low blocks seems second to none — as exemplified by his stunning lofted pass to set Foden up against Al Hilal.
While Wirtz is an excellent attacking midfielder himself, he was not as creative as the Frenchman last season — which will especially be important for Liverpool as they have lost Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer and Mohamed Salah remains their sole elite creator.
ASSISTS LAST SEASON
FLORIAN WIRTZ 15
RAYAN CHERKI 20
Manchester City signed Cherki for £33 million and taking into account Liverpool have shelled £100 million (Sky Sports) out to sign the German, in case the former outperforms the latter, Arne Slot would have every reason to be regretful.
Cherki, who Thierry Henry called “extraordinary” outperformed Wirtz creatively for a Lyon side that finished sixth in Ligue 1 — and Liverpool could eventually be left the feeling that they should have taken a punt on him like City have.
Thierry Henry revealed what Rayan Cherki can do unlike any player in history
However, only time will tell whether Liverpool boss Arne Slot should have signed Cherki alongside or even either the former Bayer Leverkusen technician instead of letting him join Manchester City.
Thierry Henry raved about Cherki by claiming that he has never encountered a player who can dribble as quickly as he can with both feet; a bold claim considering the World Cup winner played alongside legendary dribblers like Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane.
Henry said: “I’m not talking about his quality, because I have never seen a player in history who dribbles as quickly as him, with both feet.”