· 22 May 2025, 21:30
**Newcastle United have a long-standing interest in France U21 international Rayan Cherki, who has revealed he wants to leave Lyon in the summer.**
The 21-year-old is fancied by a host of top clubs around Europe, with Newcastle among them, having tracked the talented youngster for a while.
We've covered Cherki before, saying that he has been compared to former Toon favourite Hatem Ben Arfa both for his style of play and his attitude.
While it seems like the attitude thing has been worked on, Thierry Henry has sent a warning that it will be a big task for his next coach to keep Cherki on track.
Rayan Cherki will be a bargain for one club this summer
Thierry Henry says Rayan Cherki is starting to understand what it takes to be great
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The former Arsenal legend told French outlet [L'Equipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/-je-n-oublie-pas-par-ou-je-suis-passe-ca-n-a-pas-ete-une-saison-facile-rayan-cherki-de-loft-a-love-story/1563466) that when he worked with Rayan Cherki with France U21s he had to push him to keep him focused.
> "His problem was that he had never been able to play a string of matches to show what an extraordinary player he is. But to play a string of matches, he had to do things, defensively, throughout the duration of a match. This season, he did it, so he played a string of matches. I appreciate this kid so much... It's just that at certain times, you had to be tough, like a father with his son.
>
> “For me, we're talking about a guy who should have been battling with the others, at the very top, for a long time to see who is the best. He fell behind because it took him a while to understand... But now, he's understood.”
Eddie Howe could turn Ryan Cherki into a world-class winger
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Rayan Cherki has a €22.5 million (£19 million) release clause, and having already put it out there that he's looking to move clubs this summer, there are expected to be a few clubs willing to activate that clause.
Newcastle may well be one of them, but they should definitely heed Henry's words. Although, as we've said a few times before, if anyone can knock the bad habits out of a player, it's Eddie Howe.
If Howe were to get his hands on Cherki this summer, there's no telling how good he can become.