Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly entered the running to sign Lyon protege Rayan Cherki, who has also caught the eye of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The 21-year-old has been considered one of the gems in the Gones crown ever since making his debut at the age of 16, and he has already produced 25 goals and 42 assists in 176 appearances for the French giants.
Cherki has enjoyed his most productive campaign to date this term with eight goals and a staggering 18 assists in 35 matches, but Lyon were rocked by a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 earlier this season for financial problems.
The seven-time Ligue 1 champions will likely be forced to sell off some of their prized assets to raise the funds required to avoid demotion, and the 2003-born Cherki certainly fits into that category.
Over the past few months, Liverpool have been considered one of the leading contenders to bring Cherki to the Premier League, and it was reported last weekend that they had been given the green light to make a move.
Man United, Spurs 'told to pay £25m' for Cherki
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The Reds are still at risk of losing Mohamed Salah for nothing when the summer transfer window opens, while Harvey Elliott is being linked with a move elsewhere amid his lack of minutes.
However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano - via GIVEMESPORT - claims that both Man United and Spurs are ready to butt heads with Liverpool for the services of the France Under-21 international ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Cherki is only under contract with Lyon for another season - despite signing an extension as recently as September - and Les Gones would reportedly be prepared to let him depart for as little as £25m in the upcoming window.
Romano confirmed claims that the 21-year-old's terms include a release clause of sorts, and while the option is a complicated one, it is an opportunity that interested parties should not pass up.
""Yes, but it's not an 'easy' clause. Lyon insist there are certain conditions to be met, so it's not that simple. In any case, for me, it's a potential bargain as he is an excellent talent," the journalist said.
How could Cherki fit in at Man United, Tottenham?
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A versatile attacker and Lyon's assist king, Cherki's best work comes from either the right flank or the number 10 position, making it easy to see why Man United have supposedly thrown their hat into the ring.
The 21-year-old would appear to be a natural fit for Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 shape as one of the two number 10s behind the central striker, and an attacking reshuffle is in order at Old Trafford this summer.
Antony, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho could all be on the move, and the latter could even be part of a sensational swap deal with another Premier League side.
Meanwhile, Cherki could also provide cover and competition to Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison at Tottenham, but the Lilywhites will reportedly have to fend off a previous manager to keep hold of the former this summer.
Ben Knapton
