Arne Slot
Image Credits: Getty Images
The transfer season is well and truly upon us.
It has already been reported that Florian Wirtz has agreed a contract with Liverpool until 2030.
But now David Ornstein has revealed that Arne Slot met with transfer target Rayan Cherki last week – a pre-scheduled meeting before the prospect of Wirtz became real for the Anfield club:
“It can be disclosed that Arne Slot left his holiday last week and flew to the south of France to meet Lyon’s Rayan Cherki,” the Athletic journalist wrote in the Transfer DealSheet.
“Liverpool are committed to Wirtz, though that doesn’t stop them performing due diligence on other options and preparing for all outcomes.”
“The Cherki discussions were scheduled before the Wirtz chase accelerated and it is normal to proceed with such conversations while your priority signing is not complete and multiple plates are spinning.”
“Wirtz was also targeted by Manchester City and Bayern Munich. City’s pursuit did not develop further and they are now focusing on Cherki.”
Central to Cherki’s transfer narrative is the widely reported €22.5 million (£18.9 million) “gentleman’s agreement” between the player and Lyon, a mechanism born out of necessity in a country where contractual release clauses are prohibited under labor law.
The unofficial nature of the ‘clause’ was evident in January 2025 when Lyon rejected Borussia Dortmund’s bid to activate the clause, arguing the lack of a written mechanism invalidated the offer.
The player himself recently addressed links to Liverpool and Manchester City, asserting to L’Equipe when quizzed on the prospect of joining either club:
“I’m ready for any system. I work every day, physically and mentally, to be ready,” he said.
“Above all, I’m trying to choose the best option for me, to develop as a person and a footballer.”
Lyon’s provisional relegation to Ligue 2 by France’s financial watchdog (DNCG) in November 2024 has forced the club into a desperate asset liquidation strategy.
Despite finishing sixth in Ligue 1, their financial collapse necessitates raising €100 million by season’s end to avoid administrative demotion, making Cherki’s sale non-negotiable.
However, it’s clear that Manchester City are ahead of the Reds in the Cherki pursuit, with Wirtz the No.1 target for Liverpool at the minute.
But it cannot hurt to honor the commitments already made and Arne Slot has done just that.
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