Rayan Cherki has completed a summer transfer after holding a meeting with Liverpool
20:06, 10 Jun 2025Updated 20:11, 10 Jun 2025
Rayan Cherki has signed for Manchester City(Image: OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)
French talent Rayan Cherki will not be signing for Liverpool this summer, it is confirmed, as he has instead completed a transfer to Premier League rivals Manchester City. It is a ‘dream’ move from which he can’t wait to play under Pep Guardiola, but only after holding a meeting with Arne Slot.
Cherki began to be linked with a transfer to Anfield midway through last season with Lyon, which he would eventually end with 12 goals and 20 assists in all competitions. As the ECHO reported last week, Liverpool then did actually organise a meeting to be held between head coach Slot and the player to discuss his potential signing.
Though this was before it became apparent fellow midfielder Florian Wirtz had made clear he wishes to join the Reds, so Liverpool honoured their commitment as they began to press ahead with a deal that once agreed looks destined to break the British transfer record.
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Meanwhile Cherki has impressed with a goal and assist making his first substitute appearance for the French national team facing Spain. He subsequently made his first start against Wirtz’s Germany days later.
And evidently the 21-year-old has also been in talks with Man City, which have culminated in a move to the Etihad Stadium instead of Anfield.
“This is a dream for me. Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special.
“I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff,” Cherki told his new club. Part of that backroom staff will be former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders.
He continued: “Everyone knows how good City are – they have been so successful for many years now. The responsibility to help the team continue winning is something I want to embrace.
“I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future.
“I can’t wait to show City fans what I can do.”
As per sister site The Manchester Evening News, Man City have purchased Cherki for an initial £31m. This takes the club’s total spend in the first 10 days of June up to £109m with three signings made, and can be added to the £175m spent on four other signings during the January window earlier this year.
Their immediate focus is the FIFA Club World Cup this summer but soon they will be turning their attention to toppling Liverpool as reigning Premier League champions.