Cherki holds the keys to bargain €15m Arsenal signing of fast-rising star

Robin Bairner

Updated: 3 Apr 2025 09:34 BST
4 min read

Rayan Cherki, Arsenal, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Arsenal have been warned that they face missing out on one of their leading targets because of Lyon wonderkid Rayan Cherki.

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Cheki will leave the Ligue 1 side this summer, but with competition fierce for the in-form 21-year-old, there is much doubt over his destination.

Current ETV

Rayan Cherki

F (R), M (C)

Lyon

Rayan Cherki

F (R), M (C)

Lyon

ETV Range

€28.3M - €34.5M

Although Arsenal have been credited with an interest in the France U21 star in the past, there are only limited rumours that they are chasing him this summer. But one major deal that Mikel Arteta wants to push through could hinge on the future of the 21-year-old.

Rosenborg’s Sverre Nypan is a player that Arsenal are seriously interested in. The young Norwegian midfield has been tracked by the Gunners for months, so much so that they considered a January move for him.

According to FootballTransfers’ sources, Arteta’s side are ahead of Liverpool among a glut of other clubs for the 18-year-old rising star. A fee of €10 million is expected upfront, with €5m more in bonuses potentially following.

© IMAGO - Rayan Cherki has been electric for Lyon this season

Dortmund to turn to Nypan if they miss out on Cherki

But another strong suitor could emerge in the Nypan battle. Should Borussia Dortmund be priced out of moving for Cherki, they will instead shoot for the Rosenborg star as an alternative, according to Bild.

This comes as something of a surprise because the pair are not particularly interchangeable in style. Cherki is a free-spirited winger, whereas Nypan has primarily operated as a box-to-box midfielder, though he has played as a playmaker.

Indeed, Arsenal have an eye on him as the heir to Martin Odegaard in the No.10 role. Equally, his development could make him a deeper central midfield player – a position that Cherki is wholly unsuited to.

Dortmund face an almighty battle to secure Cherki, who with eight goals and 18 assists across all competitions is enjoying a breakout campaign.

As well as Arsenal, interest is said to come most seriously from Liverpool but also Manchester United. Atalanta, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the in-form creative player.

In reality, the Bundesliga side will do well to win the battle for the Lyon star, while a head-to-head with Arsenal over Nypan also favours the Premier League outfit given the groundwork they have already done.