Manchester United target Rayan Cherki has accepted a proposal from local rivals Manchester City as negotiations over a €40 million move to the Etihad this summer continue, according to Santi Aouna.
Cherki, 21, has emerged as one of the standout performers in Europe this season. The attacking midfielder has scored 12 goals and provided 20 assists in all competitions for Olympique Lyonnais, single-handedly carrying his side at times.
United hold a long-standing interest given how highly-rated Cherki was an academy player in France but have ramped up efforts to sign the 21-year-old after an impressive display against Ruben Amorim’s side in April.
The Red Devils faced Lyon in the quarter-final of the Europa League. And while United emerged victorious from the chaotic tie with a 7-6 aggregate win, Cherki scored three times across both legs and was a constant menace to Andre Onana’s goal.
A report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed United wanted to sign the French starlet “as soon as possible” with a host of clubs across Europe vying for his signature.
However, City have taken the lead in the race over the last week, moving quickly and decisively to court Cherki after a failed pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, who looks set to join Liverpool.
The Citizens had identified the Lyon talisman as a “bargain move” given his favourable price tag and outstanding technical skillset.
They opened talks with Cherki earlier this week and, according to Aouna, have now agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old. Pep Guardiola is believed to have held direct talks with Cherki about his role at the Etihad.
🚨EXCL: 💙🇫🇷 #PL |
❗️ Rayan Cherki has said YES to Manchester City, no issues on personal terms.
🗣 Pep Guardiola has spoke with Rayan Cherki about the project
✨️ Talks ongoing between the parties but Manchester City are now favorites
💰 Deal could be around €40M
➡️ City… pic.twitter.com/qFpBNkHpZO
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) May 30, 2025
Tweet: “EXCL: Rayan Cherki has said YES to Manchester City, no issues on personal terms. Pep Guardiola has spoke with Rayan Cherki about the project. Talks ongoing between the parties but Manchester City are now favourites Deal could be around €40M.
City want to be fast on the deal of Cherki & Reijnders for Club World Cup + anticipate other European top clubs keen on them.”
A price tag of €40 million (£33.7m) is suggested as sufficient to convince Lyon to sell with “talks ongoing” between the two clubs. But Auona, a French football expert, contends City are “now favourites” and want to “be fast on the deal” with the Club World Cup scheduled to start on June 14.
It constitutes a significant blow for United as they miss out on yet another target after a pursuit of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap ended in a similar fashion, with the 22-year-old picking Stamford Bridge over Old Trafford.
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.
