According to transfer experts Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein, Manchester City have reached an agreement with Olympique Lyonnais for the transfer of France international Rayan Cherki.
“The Citizens” are set to pay around €40 million for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who is expected to sign a five‑year contract with City.
If all goes smoothly, Cherki could be registered in time for the FIFA Club World Cup — starting against Wydad Casablanca on June 18, followed by matches against Al Ain (June 22) and Juventus (June 26).
City have already secured the services of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Aït-Nouri, making Cherki their latest addition ahead of a busy season.
City have reached personal terms with @RayanCherki and agreed club-to-club with Lyon. Medical expected next week—£35-40 M deal. Welcome to Manchester!
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 10, 2025
Sources suggest Lyon initially rejected City’s first offer, but a second bid in the €35–40 million range has since been prepared and accepted. Cherki reportedly told teammates, “Yes… it’s getting done,” following his standout season where he registered 12 goals and 20 assists The Guardian.
Sporting analysts now compare Cherki’s adaptability to that of Lionel Messi or Eden Hazard, praising his technical flair and vision — ideal for Pep Guardiola’s evolving system :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
In context, City invested heavily this summer: Reijnders arrived for €70 million from AC Milan, while Aït-Nouri joined from Wolves for close to €40 million. With Cherki’s arrival, Pep Guardiola adds creative depth and flexibility ahead of the season.
Why it matters: Cherki’s deal reinforces City’s ambition to rebuild swiftly after a trophy-less campaign. His inclusion ahead of the Club World Cup signals Pep’s intent to refresh the squad and compete on multiple fronts.
For a deeper look at how Cherki fits into City’s long-term vision, check the report on Barron’s. (While the link originates from crypto, it discusses institutional strategies that echo City’s ambitious transfer approach.)