Lyon wonderkid Cherki wanted by Premier League side

Robin Bairner

• 1 Feb 2024 10:16 GMT
• 2 min read

Lyon wonderkid Rayan Cherki has been the subject of January transfer interest from the Premier League, a report in France indicates.

Cherki has long been regarded as one of the most exciting French talents of his generation, with Real Madrid taking an interest in him when he was just 16. Since then, many other clubs have followed in tracking the Lyon starlet.

Chelsea and Manchester United have been particularly closely associated with the player, who is now 20, yet according to L’Equipe, it is Fulham who have attempted to make a late move for the creative attacker this month.

According to the paper edition: “Rayan Cherki has been the object of interest from Fulham, who did not formulate a concrete offer. The Under 21 international was in any case not open to leaving Lyon this winter.”

Cherki's difficult campaign

Cherki finds himself in the middle of a difficult period of his career, so it is little surprise that there has been transfer speculation surrounding him. Earlier this season, it even looked like a move in January was probable.

The attacker had a difficult relationship with previous Lyon head coach Fabio Grosso, even being left out of the matchday squad under the Italian, who infamously branded him “not special”, while even under new boss Pierre Sage, Cherki has struggled to rediscover his best level. He has just one goal this season in 21 appearances in all competitions and only three assists.

Lyon are expected to add a winger in the form of West Ham’s Said Benrahma to their ranks before the close of the transfer window, with OL expected to pay the Hammers €5 million for his services. There will be a buy option in the loan deal worth €10m.

Such a move would appear to have opened the door to Cherki to depart if either the player or the club desired. It appears that this is not the case, yet it is hard to imagine the promising attacker remaining at the Rhone side beyond the summer given both the personal and team struggles he is battling this year.

Chelsea and Man Utd will be attentive, but so too will Fulham.