Dan Owen | Wed 22 May 2024 | Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brentford are closely monitoring Lyon winger Rayan Cherki. The 20-year-old has drawn comparisons to football legends Eden Hazard and Hatem Ben Arfa due to his exceptional talent and technical prowess.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is also highly interested in Cherki as they continue to strengthen their squad with top French talent. PSG has already secured Randal Kolo-Muani, Ousmane Dembele, Lucas Hernandez, and Bradley Barcola in recent times. They are now eyeing Cherki as a prime target for 2024, especially if Xavi Simons departs on another loan.
Chelsea is among the frontrunners admiring the young forward. Cherki, who has made significant strides under Lyon’s head coach Pierre Sage, ended the season with three assists and eight goals. His performances have impressed many, and Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Brentford are keen to secure his services.
Former Lyon coach Laurent Blanc highlighted Cherki’s potential, describing him as exceptionally talented and still developing. Bruno Genesio, another ex-OL boss, likened him to Hatem Ben Arfa, emphasizing his remarkable technical skills and flair for the spectacular. However, to surpass Ben Arfa’s achievements, Cherki needs to maintain greater consistency on and off the pitch.
Ligue 1 expert Jonathan Johnson praised Cherki in his column, likening him to Eden Hazard during his early days at Lille. Johnson noted Cherki’s versatility and technical skill, predicting a bright future for the young star. He also mentioned that Cherki might be the best young talent to emerge from Lyon’s youth academy since Karim Benzema.
As the transfer window approaches, the competition for Cherki’s signature is expected to intensify, with several top clubs vying to add this exceptional talent to their rosters.