Rayan Cherki emerged as a target for Chelsea in the summer transfer window – but it seems Mauricio Pochettino has chosen not to pursue a deal for the 19-year-old wonderkid now. Cherki has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently following his impressive performances for Lyon.
The Frenchman sees his contract at the Groupama Stadium expire in 2025. Cherki featured 34 times for Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1 last season, directly contributing towards 10 goals. football.london reported last month that the Blues stepped up their pursuit of Cherki following positive conversations with his entourage over a possible deal.
However, speculation of a move has since died down – but the race for his signature isn’t over yet. So, with that being said, football.london has collated all the latest news on Chelsea’s potential move for the Frenchman.
Exciting incentive
Cherki is yet to register a goal or assist for Lyon after two games in Ligue 1 this season. While, at face value, it may seem as if he’s struggled to find his feet this term, after taking a deep dive into the underlying statistics provided by FBref – as collated by VDYK – the narrative quickly changes.
Just two-weeks into the season, the Frenchman is already outperforming some of the world’s best players. Cherki is an excellent ball-carrier; he’s attempted more take-ons (24) than anybody else in Europe’s top-five leagues, successfully completing 10.
The Blues target has also completed more progressive carries into the final third (20), more passes into penalty area (eight) and travelled further up the field with the ball than any other attacker (882 yards).
Mauricio Pochettino decision
Chelsea are said to have ended their pursuit of Lyon star Rayan Cherki following concerns over his attitude. According to Nathan Gissing, the Blues have serious concerns over the youngster’s attitude with Mauricio Pochettino looking to create a healthy culture and atmosphere at Stamford Bridge after last season.
Gissing told The Byline: “I’m told Chelsea aren’t the biggest fans of his [Cherki] attitude.”
Fresh timeline
Chelsea have made the decision to halt their summer transfer window pursuit of Rayan Cherki in order to prioritise Moises Caicedo.
More negotiations are set to take place between the Blues and Brighton for the 21-year-old in the coming days, with Chelsea’s full focus on reaching an agreement for Caicedo before trying to sign other targets
Feedback from Cherki’s representatives
football.london reported earlier this month that Chelsea had contacted Rayan Cherki’s representatives in order to gauge how they would feel about a transfer.
It is now understood that the the feedback they received from Cherki’s camp was very positive.
‘Selfish plea’
Laurent Blanc has advised Rayan Cherki to remain at Olympique Lyonnais for a further year despite interest from Chelsea. In an interview with French newspaper Le Progres, as quoted by RMC Sport, the 57-year-old addressed the futures of Castello Lukeba and the Blues target.
“OL must say, okay if these are figures at an impressive level, but on the other hand at this price (27 million), I tell him to stay one more year in Lyon,” said the 57-year-old. “I’d really mind if he left. It’s the same for Cherki. Especially since we made room for them. It would be a little early, but maybe I’m being a little selfish.”
PSG disadvantage
According to the Daily Mail, Lyon are in a difficult financial position and they would be more willing to sell the teenage sensation abroad rather than strengthen a Ligue 1 rival.
Chelsea in contact with Lyon
After holding talks with Rayan Cherki’s representatives, Chelsea are now in direct club-to-club contact with Lyon over a summer transfer, according to Caught Offside.
It is also noted that the French club want €50million (£42.7million) for Cherki, though Chelsea feel a deal could be done for closer to €40million (£35.2million).
Cherki makes huge decision
Rayan Cherki has already made one huge decision this summer amid strong transfer interest from Chelsea.
As per journalist Jac Talbot, Cherki Cherki recently changed agents to Fayza Lamari, perhaps in an attempt to push for a move away from Lyon this summer.
Huge development
According to TeamTalk, Cherki wants to join Gusto at Stamford Bridge this summer. The report states that the Blues have a good relationship with Lyon and officials from west London have already held talks over a potential move.
Two birds, one stone
The Blues are considering a move for Cherki, who sees his contract with the French outfit expire in two-years, football.london understands. It’s believed that the west Londoners sent scouts to watch the attacking midfielder on several occasions last term, where they also monitored the progress of Malo Gusto, who was signed in January.
Asking price
Chelsea have been handed an idea of the funds they will need to part ways with to complete a move for Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki. According to, But Football Club, the French outfit have set an asking price of £43million for their talented playmaker.
Mbappe approval
Kylian Mbappe has already approved Chelsea’s decision to pursue Rayan Cherki as the Blues consider whether or not to make a formal approach.
After Cherki recorded two goals and two assists in one game for Lyon at the age of just 16, Mbappe hopped onto Twitter and wrote: “Don’t talk to him too much about age, huh.”
‘Insulting bid’
In January, Jean-Michel Aulas publicly slammed Paris Saint-Germain for making an ‘insulting’ offer for the £43million-rated teenager. Speaking to French outlet RMC Sport, the Lyon president said: “I had a long time with Nasser [al-Khelaifi], who called me on Saturday evening, to find out whether or not we were in negotiations for Rayan Cherki.
“I told him no, and Nasser told me, ‘okay, it’s over’, and he added that PSG would therefore not make a new offer. I thank him for this direct and sincere contact. We did not enter into negotiations, but the level of the offer was insulting.”
Lyon relationship
Chelsea have recently dealt with Lyon, Rayan Cherki’s parent club, in the transfer window during negotiations to sign Malo Gusto. The right-back sealed a permanent move to west London in January but was then loaned back to France for the remainder of the season.
Both parties were happy with that agreement and thus it could help the Blues make a summer move for Cherki. However, Lyon were left disgruntled by how Chelsea handled the hamstring injury suffered by Gusto which saw him return to London Cobham for further treatment.
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