Manchester City kickstarted the post-Kevin De Bruyne era by signing maverick France playmaker Rayan Cherki from Lyon for €36 million ($41 million) on Tuesday, in time to play in the Club World Cup.
The 21-year-old Cherki, thought to be one of probably the most thrilling younger abilities in French soccer, scored an excellent volley and starred as an alternative on his worldwide debut for France towards Spain in the Nations League semifinals final week.
A product of Lyon’s famend academy like Karim Benzema, Cherki has been on the radar of Europe’s greatest golf equipment for some time. He got here shut to signing for Paris Saint-Germain in the final offseason however the transfer fell via.
Now he’s headed for Pep Guardiola’s City and is about to fill the position vacated by De Bruyne, the group’s long-time star who has been launched after 10 years’ service.
“He’s a player our scouts have watched for a long time, and we have all been impressed with his skill and creativity. I am convinced our fans will be excited to see him play,” City director of soccer Hugo Viana mentioned.
“There’s no doubt that he’s now in the best place possible to develop further under Pep’s guidance and I really believe he can become a world-class player with our support and direction.”
With Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders additionally reported by British media to be becoming a member of City, the membership seems to be re-energizing a midfield that was stuffed final season with gamers in their 30s like Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva.
Kovacic has undergone Achilles surgical procedure and is unavailable for the new-look, 32-team Club World Cup, which begins on Saturday. City in the identical group as Juventus, Al Ain and Wydad Casablanca and its first match is on June 18.
Cherki, the youngest-ever aim scorer for Lyon in a aggressive match, shortly impressed in youth competitions. He made his Ligue 1 debut at simply 16 years outdated in October 2019 and scored his first senior aim a number of weeks later in a French Cup match.
The attacking midfielder scored eight targets and supplied 11 assists — probably the most in Ligue 1 — this season and may play both on the wing or as a playmaker.
Cherki mentioned he’s prepared “embrace” the accountability of serving to City win extra trophies.
“I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in,” mentioned Cherki, who has signed a five-year deal, “and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future.”
According to L’Equipe newspaper, Lyon will retain 15% of the rights to any capital acquire from a future switch and may anticipate an extra €2 million ($2.3 million) in bonuses between now and 2030.
The switch of Cherki comes a day after Algeria left again Rayan Ait-Nouri joined City from Wolverhampton for $42 million.
Also Tuesday, City signed Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea as a backup goalkeeper.
City made the transfer after asserting the departure of long-term No. 3 goalie Scott Carson on Monday together with his contract due to expire.
Bettinelli has joined on a one-year deal and in time to be concerned in the Club World Cup in the United States beginning on Saturday.
“His experience and mentality will hopefully complement our other senior goalkeepers while ensuring he’s always ready to perform when called upon himself,” Viana mentioned.
Published – June 11, 2025 03:41 am IST
