Long-term Newcastle United target Rayan Cherki has dropped a massive hint that he is set to leave Lyon this summer.
The Magpies have been tracking Cherki for a couple of years now, as he has often been touted as the next big thing to come out of France.
Rayan Cherki has been likened to former Newcastle United man Hatem Ben Arfa and has also been touted as a future Ballon d'Or Winner.
The club always had reservations about the 21-year-old as it wasn't just Ben Arfa's play style that Cherki mimicked, but his attitude too, but that seems to be less of a concern these days.
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Rayan Cherki has hinted that his future lies away from Lyon
The Magpies were even contemplating spending £19 million to activate Cherki's release clause, but thanks to PSR, they thought better of it, but after his latest interview, it seems Newcastle could be handed another chance.
Speaking about his future to Metro, Cherki used the past tense when talking about Lyon, suggesting a summer move is on the cards.
“I don’t know. In any case, I know that I gave everything for the club. I did everything I could for Lyon.
“This is a club that I will never forget and that will always remain in my heart. I stayed when many players left.”
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Rayan Cherki would be a phenomenal signing for Newcastle
The race to sign the France U21 star is likely to have plenty of runners with Liverpool and Manchester United keen, and Borussia Dortmund likely to revisit a deal after their initial move fell through in January.
Cherki has eight goals and 10 assists in Ligue 1 this season to go with his four goals and eight assists in the Europa League before bowing out to Manchester United in the quarter-finals.
The versatile forward can play pretty much everywhere in the top half of the pitch, but is most comfortable out on the wide right, which makes him an ideal signing for Newcastle. As long as they can be assured that his hot-head days are behind him, he'd be an absolutely phenomenal signing.