Manchester City have seen their opening bid for Rayan Cherki rejected but the Lyon winger insists that the transfer is 'getting done' after starring in France's dramatic 5-4 loss to Spain
Rayan Cherki of France looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-final match between Spain and France at Stuttgart Arena on June 5, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Rayan Cherki is close to joining Manchester City(Image: GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Rayan Cherki has reassured Manchester City fans that his move to the Etihad is 'getting done', despite Lyon rejecting their first offer. Cherki, 21, is reported to have already agreed personal terms with City over a five-year contract but the two clubs are yet to negotiate a fee.
The winger wants to the deal to be done before Tuesday's transfer deadline ahead of the Club World Cup which begins next week. Reports from Europe claim that City's bid was worth £19million.
Lyon are holding out a fee in the region of £30m and if Cherki isn't sold by September 1, his contract will be extended until 2027. The France international's current terms see his contract expire next summer and he's coming off his most prolific season to date.
Cherki scored 12 goals and registered a huge 20 assists, nearly tripling his output from the previous campaign. Liverpool took notice of his productivity and manager Arne Slot travelled to France for a meeting with the 21-year-old last week.
Slot cut short his holiday and chose to honour the meeting despite Liverpool making progress in their pursuit of Florian Wirtz, their preferred target. City have taken advantage of their rivals' focus being elsewhere and are the clear favourites to sign Cherki, who marked his debut for France in style on Thursday with a stunning goal and sumptuous assist.
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Speaking after their 5-4 loss to Spain in the semi-finals of the Nations League, the Lyon star revealed: "It's getting done. But you already know my answer, everybody knows. But there's still a game to play. Now we have to enjoy and give everything, but after it will be done."
The game which Cherki was referring to is Sunday's third-placed play-off against hosts Germany in Stuttgart. Didier Deschamps could hand him a start after his brilliant half an hour against Spain, as France mounted a late comeback.
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STUTTGART, GERMANY - JUNE 5: Rayan Cherki #25 of France scores to make it 5-2 during the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal match between Spain and France at Stuttgart Arena on June 5, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images)
Rayan Cherki scored and assisted in France's 5-4 defeat to Spain
Cherki came off was bench just before his side went 5-1 down, but his rip-roaring strike from outside of the box gave them a glimmer of hope. After Daniel Vivian's own goal further reduced the deficit, Cherki set up Randal Kolo Mauni to make it 5-4 with two minutes of stoppage time remaining.
It ultimately wasn't to be for France but Cherki, who was eligible to play for Algeria and Italy, did himself no harm. He could become City's third signing of the summer, as they close in on deals for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.
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