Manchester City are on the verge of securing a significant transfer coup with the signing of Lyon’s highly-rated attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki, with negotiations advancing rapidly as the summer transfer window heats up. The 21-year-old France international, who dazzled in a recent cameo for his national team, is reportedly close to joining the Premier League champions in a deal valued at approximately £34 million. As part of the agreement, City could send one of their promising young talents, James McAtee or Claudio Echeverri, to Lyon on a one-year loan to sweeten the transfer and provide the French club with attacking reinforcements.
Cherki, who contributed 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 appearances for Lyon last season, has long been regarded as one of Europe’s brightest prospects. His flair, vision, and ambition—evident since his youth when he boldly declared his dream of winning the Champions League and Ballon d’Or—have made him a prime target for Pep Guardiola’s side. Manchester City see Cherki as a potential long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne in the No. 10 role, bringing creativity and dynamism to a squad preparing for the FIFA Club World Cup and a renewed push for domestic and European glory. According to reports, personal terms with Cherki are nearly finalized, with the player expressing enthusiasm for the move, stating it is “getting done.” However, Lyon have been firm in their valuation, rejecting an initial €23 million offer and holding out for a fee closer to €35-40 million, leveraging the fact that Cherki’s contract is in its final year.
To facilitate the deal, Manchester City have agreed to include a one-year loan of a young attacking player to Lyon, with James McAtee and Claudio Echeverri emerging as the primary candidates. McAtee, a 22-year-old midfielder, has been on the fringes of City’s first team, making 27 appearances last season while also attracting interest from Nottingham Forest, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and RB Leipzig. His versatility and technical ability make him an attractive option for Lyon, who are keen to bolster their attacking options following Cherki’s imminent departure. Alternatively, Claudio Echeverri, a 19-year-old Argentine prodigy signed by City in January 2024 from River Plate, could be the player loaned out. Echeverri, often compared to compatriot Ángel Di María for his playmaking flair, has yet to break into City’s senior squad but is seen as a future star. Posts on X and reports from French outlet L’Équipe indicate that Lyon view both players as viable options, though a move for City’s Oscar Bobb was deemed “very difficult.”
The transfer aligns with Manchester City’s broader strategy to refresh their squad ahead of a demanding season. Alongside Cherki, City have already secured Wolves’ left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri for £36.3 million and AC Milan’s midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for £46.3 million, signaling an aggressive approach to the transfer market. These signings aim to address gaps in the squad, particularly with injuries to key players like Mateo Kovacic and uncertainties surrounding the futures of Ederson and Kalvin Phillips. Cherki’s arrival, in particular, is expected to add a new dimension to City’s attack, with his recent performance in France’s 5-4 Nations League defeat to Spain—where he scored and provided an assist—underscoring his potential to thrive under Guardiola’s tutelage.