EXCLUSIVE: Cherki holds Chelsea AND Tottenham talks

Steve Kay

• Updated: 22 Jul 2023 15:26 BST
• 3 min read

Lyon prodigy Rayan Cherki has been in discussion with Chelsea and Tottenham over a summer transfer to the Premier League, with his representatives in London recently to discuss a move, FootballTransfers has been told.

The 19-year-old has long been regarded as one of French football’s hottest prospects, with Real Madrid long-term admirers of a player who has been with Lyon since he was seven years old.

Interest has grown for Cherki and young Lyon teammate Bradley Barcola over the past six months as both finished the Ligue 1 season strongly, with PSG linked with transfers for both. Chelsea and Tottenham have both made a definite move for Cherki, however.

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He broke into the Lyon side when he was just 16 and has gone on to play 105 times for the club, scoring 14 goals and creating 16 more, but only truly established himself as a regular starter towards the end of last season under Laurent Blanc.

OL’s coach has advised them to remain where they are for the time being.

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“It means that they have quality if they are called upon,” he said after the 1-0 friendly loss against Manchester United in Edinburgh earlier this week.

“I tell these young players that they may not be ready for a big club yet. I’ve told them to stay in Lyon.”

Why Lyon could be forced to sell Cherki

From Lyon’s perspective, the situation is not so simple. They are under investigation from French football’s financial watchdog and have been placed under supervision of both their payroll and their transfer activities.

A big transfer fee, the type of which Cherki to either Chelsea or Tottenham would bring, would help ease OL’s problems.

It is thought that Chelsea are ready to offer Lyon €40 million for Cherki, who could sign as a replacement for Christian Pulisic, who left for AC Milan.

OL might have knocked back the Blues’ first approach, but Cherki’s agent holding talks with both Chelsea and Tottenham indicates the Ligue 1 club are open to a transfer.