Rayan Cherki has confirmed he is close to sealing a summer move to Manchester City.
The Lyon sensation confirmed his plans to leave the French side at the end of the 2024-25 season, sparking a scramble to land the player regarded as one of the biggest talents in Europe.
Manchester United were among the clubs interested in his services before appearing to shift focus to Bryan Mbuemo. Liverpool are also admirers with Arne Slot flying out to France for face-to-face talks before the club eventually shifted focus to Florian Wirtz.
But City have emerged as the favourites to land the Frenchman.
Cherki was on the score sheet on Thursday night as France lost a 5-4 thriller to Spain in the Nations League semi-final, setting up a third place play-off with Germany on Sunday.
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The attacking midfielder remains focused on international commitments for now but revealed a move for of a fee of around £35million is close.
‘Yes… it’s getting done,’ Cherki told Telefoot. ‘But you already know my answer, everybody knows. But there’s still a game to play. Now we have to enjoy and give everything, but after it will be done.’
City hope to have Cherki signed in time to play in the Club World Cup. Pep Guardiola’s side begin their campaign against Wydad AC on Wednesday 18 June.
City have also agreed a deal to sign AC Milan star Tijani Reijnders, with the midfielder set to join for a fee that could rise to £58million.
Wolves left-back Rayan Ait Nouri is another key target with Wolves demanding £50million for their player.
City have until Tuesday to finalise transfer business and register new signings for the Club World Cup.
After their run of four straight Premier League title wins came to an end, major changes to the City squad are underway with Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish among the high profile names on the way out.
‘I need energy for myself and the people give me energy,’ Guardiola told ESPN. ‘You see the eyes, new faces, “I want to do it,” “I want to be there,” new little details in the training sessions. It’s new energy.
‘Because energy for itself, the energy is one Premier League more, one Champions League more or one Community Shield more? It’s not. It’s not going to change my life one Premier League more or less in my period in Man City, it’s not going to change anything.’