Arsenal are reportedly ramping up their interest in Rayan Cherki, Lyon’s creative midfield prodigy, amid the French club’s financial turmoil.
Arsenal will look to intensify their pursuit of Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Rayan Cherki as the Ligue 1 club continues to descend into financial oblivion. With authorities threatening a potential relegation to Ligue 2 due to malpractices, the club will have to move swiftly and decisively to limit the damage that could be caused due to this ruling.
Currently sat fifth in Ligue 1 with 18 points from 11 games, Lyon will look offload some players that could help them raise funds. While they have other options whom they have acquired from other clubs in recent times, Rayan Cherki is one player they would hate to part ways with.
The 21-year-old midfielder who is likened to Chelsea icon Eden Hazard is Lyon through and through, having come through their youth ranks between 2010-19, before being promoted to Lyon B in that year. He also started appearing for their main team in the same year, but made himself a mainstay in the squad two years later.
Now, with his boyhood club in financial turmoil, Cherki could be forced out of the exit door and Arsenal are keen on the player. The Gunners are said to have ‘started the bidding’ for the player, per latest by Arsenal Fanatic News on their Patreon.
Is Cherki the type of player Arsenal need currently?
Arsenal have a history of acquiring and playing players with great technical and positional ability, as well as a desire to play quick passing football. In the past, players such as Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla have all played the role Cherki is now developing in.
To go back to a more free-flowing style of attack, Mikel Arteta and his team of coaches will be aware they will need a player who brings uncertainty. This is where Rayan Cherki can be an asset for the north Londoners, should they manage to prise him away from Lyon.
Despite being just 21, Cherki has already made 152 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 19 goals and providing 28 assists as well. A player unlikely to be cheap in any other situation, Arsenal have the golden chance to get him on a cut-price deal.
Mikel Arteta’s side have also launched €30m bid for Belgian 19yo prodigy and Cherki’s team mate Malick Fofana.
