Manchester United Transfer News: Rayan Cherki, a winger for Lyon, could be available to the Red Devils again.
After breaking into the first squad at the French club, the player was linked with the Red Devils back in 2020. Cherki has made 43 appearances in all competitions since then, but a significant leg injury at the close of last season hampered his game time in recent months.
The 18-year-old has failed to reply to the club’s latest contract renewal offer, according to Foot1. His current contract is slated to expire next summer. Lyon had initiated talks with the kid about tying him down to a new deal last month. They want to keep him at the club in any way.
The French club do not want to lose Cherki. They were looking to split ways with Houssem Aouar and Moussa Dembele this summer. Deals for the above stars could be more financially beneficial to the club than selling a young prodigy.
Manchester United Transfer News: Lyon’s stance
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Lyon see Cherki as a “essential part for the club’s future and for the new concept based on Lyonnais DNA,” and want to persuade him to stay.
Despite not playing since February, a number of European clubs have showed interest in signing the attacking midfielder.
According to the club’s president, United and Real Madrid both failed in their bids to sign Cherki two years ago. Cherki scored three goals in his first six Ligue 1 games when he was 16. Jean-Michel Aulas stated the Red Devils were interested in signing him at the time.
What did Michel Aulas say?
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In 2020, he remarked, “He’s unquestionably a player who will get to the greatest level. That’s why we went to great lengths to sign him.”Â
“Real Madrid and Manchester United were the two clubs interested in signing him before we signed him. We want him to be successful in Lyon.”Â
“We want him to be successful in Lyon. We want to help him, which is why we’re working to advance his career. We want him to become a leader from the academy as well as a leader for our attack in the future.”
Can United get their targets?
United is likely to be one of the busiest clubs in the summer transfer season as Erik Ten Hag looks to bolster his squad.
Before the new season, the Dutchman wants to add at least one attacker, two midfielders, and a couple of defenders to his squad, with Frenkie de Jong and Darwin Nunez being connected.
