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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>City eyeing Cherki, who'll leave Lyon this summer </li><li>Frenchman has a reasonable price tag </li><li>Cityzens miss out on Wirtz </li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Man City eyeing £25m swoop for Lyon talisman Rayan Cherki after calling off Florian Wirtz pursuit

FIFA Club World Cup

Manchester City

Wydad Casablanca

<p>According to a report from <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/05/27/manchester-city-transfers-lyon-rayan-cherki-grealish-future/" target="_blank"><em>The Telegraph</em></a>, Manchester City are determined to sign Lyon sensation Cherki this summer after missing out on Wirtz. The former has already <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-liverpool-rayan-cherki-puts-europe-on-alert-confirms-he-will-leave-lyon-this-summer/blt78b00c1c6052a3f6" target="_blank">announced his decision to leave the Ligue 1 giants at the end of the season</a>, and City want to pounce on the opportunity to sign the promising young attacking midfielder in a bargain deal.   </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Cherki is viewed by City as a cost-effective option to strengthen their midfield amid a summer rebuild. With <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/kevin-de-bruyne-opens-up-heartache-man-city-refusing-new-contract-legendary-midfielder/bltdb7b52dc319970fc" target="_blank">Kevin De Bruyne departing</a> and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/pep-guardiola-jack-grealish-leave-man-city-playing-time-denies-feud/blt9bf8c340ad71ca6f" target="_blank">Jack Grealish’s future uncertain</a>, head coach Pep Guardiola is prioritizing creative reinforcements. The Sky Blues were keen on closing the signing of Wirtz and had also initiated early contact, but ultimately <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-city-end-interest-florian-wirtz-pep-guardiola-barcelona-dani-olmo-asked-gbp250m-bayer-leverkusen/bltfb047db5e5cd7029" target="_blank">pulled out of the race after realising that the financial costs of the entire operation would put a significant burden</a> on the club. He is now <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/liverpool-lodge-bid-100m-florian-wirtz-transfer-for-bayer-leverkusen-sensation/bltab6ebdfd361caa8b" target="_blank">tipped to sign for Liverpool, who have tabled a bid worth more than €100m (£85m)</a>.</p><p>Cherki, on the other hand, offers a tantalising prospect, in that he can be signed for a considerably lower fee. Indeed, the 21-year-old has a release clause reportedly between £20-25 million (€25-30 million). </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>City are expected to undergo a major squad overhaul this summer after what was arguably the worst season in the Guardiola era. The Premier League giants are believed to be in <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-city-rebuild-cityzens-ac-milan-tijjani-reijnders-rossoneri-record-kaka-transfer-fee/blt77ad111169ab14c1" target="_blank">advanced stages of negotiations for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders</a>, not to mention that they have also been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/kevin-de-bruyne-replacement-man-city-advance-talks-priority-target-morgan-gibbs-white-nottingham-forest/bltecca3f26e468ab8d" target="_blank">linked with Nottingham Forest superstar Morgan Gibbs-White</a>.  </p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>It's guaranteed that Cherki will depart Lyon this summer, but his next destination remains uncertain. While Manchester City have shown interest, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-utd-join-race-to-land-lyon-star-rayan-cherki-liverpool-focus-on-florian-wirtz/blt95f486e93ecd5f96" target="_blank">Manchester United have also joined the race for the highly sought-after midfielder</a>. With his future still up in the air, Cherki’s next move could spark a bidding war as clubs from across Europe compete for his signature. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR RAYAN CHERKI?

Man City eyeing £25m swoop for Lyon talisman Rayan Cherki after calling off Florian Wirtz pursuit  | Goal.com

Manchester City might have missed out on signing Florian Wirtz, but they can still make a brilliant acquisition this season by signing Rayan Cherki.

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