Manchester City transfer target Rayan Cherki cannot wait to complete a switch to the Etihad Stadium and his wish is close to being granted as productive discussions have been held with Lyon ahead of potentially signing on the dotted line in the coming days, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Although Sky Blues boss Pep Guardiola is aiming to make alterations to his backroom staff ahead of his side competing in the Club World Cup later this month, with Pep Lijnders agreeing to become his assistant, plans have also been made to use the initial summer transfer window to bolster the squad.
Kevin De Bruyne is poised to officially leave at the end of June, when his £400,000-per-week contract is due to expire, resulting in Manchester City's recruitment department being tasked with bringing in additional creativity as they seek to recover from missing out on a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Cherki Eager to Complete Switch to Sky Blues
Discussions have been moving at fast pace over wide forward
Rayan Cherki in action for Lyon
Cherki is excited to join Manchester City after influential figures behind the scenes have edged closer to sealing the deal which will see him arrive from boyhood club Lyon, according to GMS sources, but there remains a desire to secure up to five fresh faces as preparations are made for next season.
Guardiola has given the green light for the Sky Blues to sign the wide forward, who is valued by his current employers in the region of £35million, as they look to accelerate attempts to rebuild a squad which missed out on adding to the trophy cabinet when they lost the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace last month.
GMS sources have been informed that conversations surrounding a summer swoop for Cherki, who enjoyed a productive campaign for Lyon, have gone well and quickly as Manchester City aim to land reinforcements capable of challenging for an immediate starting berth.
Rayan Cherki's statistics for Lyon this season
The 21-year-old Frenchman has been described as a 'future Ballon d'Or winner' thanks to showing plenty of promise during the early stages of his career and, having made it clear that he wants to embark on a fresh challenge, the Sky Blues are hoping to wrap up a deal before they fly to the United States for the Club World Cup.
Cherki is not the only potential acquisition during the initial 10-day transfer window as Manchester City are confident that an agreement will be reached for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders following ongoing negotiations, GMS sources have learned, while Nottingham Forest talisman Morgan Gibbs-White and two full-backs are also on the radar.
Guardiola Tempted to Allow Quartet to Depart
Tactician determined to streamline squad ahead of next season
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on the touchline
GMS sources have been told that Guardiola's determination to streamline his squad to make room for new signings has resulted in there being a possibility that Kalvin Phillips, John Stones, Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker will be given the opportunity to head through the exit door ahead of next term.
The quartet of England internationals are on contracts which allow them to earn a combined total of more than £775,000-per-week, leading to the Sky Blues' hierarchy seeing them as possible options to get off the wage bill as it would give them further scope to show ambition during the summer.
Newly-promoted Leeds United have been linked with attempting to re-sign Phillips at a time when Everton have also been making enquiries to welcome Stones back to Merseyside, GMS sources understand, while Manchester City need to define the terms of any deal for Grealish and Walker is facing an uncertain future following his loan spell at AC Milan.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola Related
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Manchester City are on course to hand Tijjani Reijnders the chance to sign a more lucrative contract than he currently boasts at AC Milan
GMS senior reporter Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that the Sky Blues are confident of recruiting Cherki and Reijnders, but quick decisions are also set to be made over how to reshape the squad as they go in search of reclaiming the Premier League crown and challenging for further honours during the 2025/26 campaign.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 02/06/2025
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