Liverpool boss Arne Slot kept his word by meeting Rayan Cherki, but the Lyon star will know he is playing second fiddle to Florian Wirtz in the Reds' transfer plans
Mark Jones Sports Features Editor and Dan Grennan Audience Writer
17:29, 03 Jun 2025Updated 17:31, 03 Jun 2025
Arne Slot met Rayan Cherki
Arne Slot met Rayan Cherki(Image: PAUL ELLIS, AFP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot stayed true to his word by jetting off to meet Rayan Cherki, and now he's banking on Florian Wirtz doing the same.
As reported on Tuesday, the Liverpool gaffer kept his promise by sitting down with the Lyon forward and his team for a chinwag about a potential summer transfer.
There's plenty to admire about the 21-year-old French lad who's been turning heads at Lyon this season, having a blinder in front of goal by banging in 12 – more than twice his previous best in a single season.
His cracking form, a fair asking price and Lyon's acceptance that he's likely off this summer have made Cherki one of the most sought-after talents out there, with all the top clubs wanting a piece of the action.
France's forward Rayan Cherki
Rayan Cherki has been turning heads in Lyon(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
But Slot, and likely Cherki too, will be aware of where the young Frenchman ranks in Liverpool's pecking order, reports the Mirror.
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As The Athletic detailed, the Reds' boss had agreed to the meeting before Liverpool made headway in their pursuit of Wirtz, and even though the lack of progress on what could be a record-breaking move for the German is causing some Kopites to fret, there's still optimism all round that the deal can be sealed.
Liverpool have so far seen two offers for Wirtz knocked back, the latest being a hefty £109million bid rejected on Friday, but Leverkusen haven't outright dismissed these bids and instead want to keep Liverpool in the game.
The alternative would be to see Wirtz sign with Bayern Munich, a move that would further diminish their already slim Bundesliga title aspirations, hence the aim is to sell their star player outside of Germany.
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz could command a British record fee(Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Liverpool managed to get ahead in the race for Wirtz, initially competing with Manchester City, and Slot's vision for the player impressed Wirtz and his team.
Wirtz was less than thrilled by what Bayern Munich had to offer, leading him to decide on a move to Anfield, leaving the financial details to be ironed out.
His preference is to finalise the transfer as swiftly as possible, ideally before Germany's UEFA Nations League semi-final against Portugal on Wednesday, although this isn't a strict deadline.
from L) France's defender Malo Gusto and Fance's forward Ryan Cherki arrive for a training session
France's defender Malo Gusto and Ryan Cherki(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Leverkusen have suggested the possibility of Liverpool including a player in the deal to bridge the financial gap, but Liverpool remain confident that a direct financial agreement can be reached.
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All parties certainly hope so at least, with Slot's visit to Cherki nothing more than an insurance policy.
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