Manchester City has confirmed the signing of Rayan Cherki, effectively ruling out any chance of the former Lyon star joining Liverpool this summer.
The 21-year-old was previously linked with a move to Liverpool before it became clear that City had taken the lead in the race for his signature, following a meeting between Rayan Cherki and Arne Slot.
City stepped in, securing the French international with a five-year deal worth an initial $42.5 million. Interestingly, City had also shown interest in Wirtz before redirecting their attention to Rayan Cherki. The attacking midfielder shared his feelings about joining City: “This is a dream for me,” he stated in a press release. “Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to take the next step in my career here is something very, very special.”
He expressed his dedication, saying, “I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep [Guardiola] and his staff. Everyone knows how good City are – they have been so successful for many years now. I want to embrace the responsibility to help the team keep winning.”
Rayan Cherki emphasized that he would only leave Lyon for a project he truly believed in, and he sees that belief reflected in City. He added, “I can’t wait to show City fans what I can do.”
Now that the first transfer window has closed, Rayan Cherki could potentially make his debut for City at this summer’s Club World Cup. Meanwhile, Liverpool continues to pursue Wirtz, reportedly preparing to submit a final written offer to Bayer Leverkusen after experiencing three rejected bids. Recent rumors suggest Leverkusen may lower its asking price, with a figure around $160 million likely to be agreed between the clubs soon, and reports indicate a medical has already been scheduled.
