Manchester United have been dealt a decisive blow by their local rival with Manchester City set to open talks to sign Rayan Cherki this summer, according to reports.
The Red Devils hold a long-standing interest in the Olympique Lyonnais star who is widely considered one of the most talented youngsters in world football.
But concerns over the 21-year-old’s attitude and application have plagued him since making his senior debut at the Groupama Stadium. There is a sense that Cherki’s progress could only be halted by himself, given his outrageous skillset means defenders offer little opposition to him.
And this season the French starlet appears to have made it click.
He’s scored 12 goals and provided 20 assists across all competitions for Lyon – a staggering amount which has firmly cemented his place as one of the best number tens in Europe. He has single-handedly carried his side’s attack at times, while teammates describe him as the best player they have ever seen.
Cherki scored twice against United in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final clash in France before adding another in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s side ultimately emerged victorious from the tie with a pulsating comeback win in extra time but United executives will have been keeping a keen eye on Cherki’s performances in both legs.
And they will evidently have been impressed as United have been strongly linked with a move for the French international this summer as the club searches for reinforcements for Amorim’s misfiring front line. A report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed United wanted to sign Cherki “as soon as possible” – with good reason.
The Reds face intense competition from their neighbours in Manchester to secure Cherki’s signature with City identifying the Lyon playmaker as an alternative to Florian Wirtz, who looks set to join Liverpool.
Now, Fabrizio Romano reveals, the Citizens are preparing to start “initial talks” with Lyon to sign Cherki as he is at “top of the list” after Cherki, along with Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.
🚨🔵 Manchester City made contact to start initial talks for Rayan Cherki as target for #10 position.
He’s top of the list with Morgan Gibbs-White after Wirtz deal off, while Cherki’s also aware of Man City interest. pic.twitter.com/YvQPEXoumr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2025
Tweet: “Manchester City made contact to start initial talks for Rayan Cherki as target for #10 position. He’s top of the list with Morgan Gibbs-White after Wirtz deal off, while Cherki’s also aware of Man City interest.”
French football expert Santi Aouni corroborates City’s intent to formalise their interest with Pep Guardiola’s side ready to “focus their efforts on Rayan Cherki in the next weeks.”
INEOS will have to move quickly and decisively if they do not want to miss out on another key attacking target with Bryan Mbeumo also looking more likely to move to St James’ Park than Old Trafford this summer.
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.
