Manchester United are set to face fierce competition from local rivals Manchester City in a pursuit of Rayan Cherki this summer, according to reports.
Cherki, 21, has lit up French football this season for Olympique Lyonnais with 12 goals and 20 assists in all competitions for the Ligue 1 side.
The youngster’s unbelievable skillset rivals any player in Europe but concerns over application and attitude have plagued his career to date. But he now appears to have ironed out these issues, demonstrating a level of consistency and productivity he has not reached before, despite always having possessed the talent to do so.
There are few number tens who are as joyous to watch as Cherki when he is in full flight.
Despite not being particularly fast, the French international is as quick with his feet as he is with his mind. He is capable of leaving a defender for dead with a dribble or cutting through a defence with a pass that no one else on the pitch could imagine, let alone find.
Cherki’s impressive campaign has put a host of clubs across Europe on red-alert as Lyon are believed to be open to his departure this summer. Indeed, the 21-year-old even signalled his intent to leave in an interview following the final game of the season.
United have been strongly linked with a move after Cherki played a decisive role in the 2-2 draw of the first leg in the Europa League quarter-final clash between the two sides, scoring twice at the Groupama Stadium.
The attacking midfielder would slot in perfectly as a number ten on the right-hand side in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, enabling the Portuguese coach to deploy Amad as a wing-back on the outside.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo, who is valued around the £50 million mark by the Bees. But a move for Cherki would, arguably, secure an even more talented option in this position for a much cheaper price.
However, United’s hopes of a deal could be dashed by their neighbours with The Telegraph revealing City are interested in the 21-year-old midfielder.
“Manchester City have joined the race for Rayan Cherki and are looking at the Lyon midfielder as a potential summer signing as Pep Guardiola rebuilds his squad for next season”, the report states.
Fabrizio Romano confirms this update of Cherki being on City’s “shortlist” with the Italian transfer guru revealing United’s rival have been “informed” of the conditions required to complete a deal this summer.
🚨🔵 Manchester City are interested in Rayan Cherki and informed on exit costs details.
He’s on the shortlist with Morgan Gibbs-White also still there, two names highly rated at Man City.
Cherki, one more idea as @TeleFootball reports. pic.twitter.com/UMfAufUKs6
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 27, 2025
Tweet: “Manchester City are interested in Rayan Cherki and informed on exit costs details. He’s on the shortlist with Morgan Gibbs-White also still there, two names highly rated at Man City. Cherki, one more idea as @TeleFootball reports.”
If City decide to go all-in on a move for Cherki, with their financial capability and offer of Champions League football, United are unlikely to be able to compete with their neighbours.
Featured image Michael Steele via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
