Manchester City Close in on Signing of Lyon's Wunderkind Rayan Cherki

Manchester City are nearing the completion of a £33.7 million deal for Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki, who has been turning heads in France with his exceptional skills and controversy off the pitch. At just 20 years old, Cherki has already made a name for himself in European football, scoring 12 goals and providing 20 assists last season. However, his signing comes with some risks, as Cherki has been known to cup his private parts to goad home supporters, including Manchester United fans during a Europa League quarter-final match.

Key Takeaways:

• Cherki has been on Manchester City's radar for some time and is viewed as a fundamental part of their midfield rebuild, alongside AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders.
• The deal would complete a £114 million triple swoop for Cherki, Reijnders, and Rayan Ait-Nouri, who sealed his £33.7 million switch from Wolves.
• Cherki's signing is subject to City meeting a deadline of 7pm today to register all three players for the Club World Cup.
• Cherki's previous management by Bilel Ghazi, who has close links to the mother of Kylian Mbappe, has been a source of frustration, with Lyon's ownership criticizing the partnership.
• Cherki has been managed by Moussa Sissoko, one of France's "super agents," since October, which may have contributed to his departure from Lyon.
• Cherki has been known to react poorly to being benched, demanding to be sent back to the youth team as a protest in the past.
• His coaches at Lyon have warned that he needs to work on his attitude and consistency to reach his full potential.
• Cherki has already impressed in his senior France debut, scoring a stunning goal in a 5-4 Nations League defeat by Spain.

Statistics:

• £33.7 million: The fee City have agreed to pay for Cherki.
• £114 million: The total value of the triple swoop including Reijnders and Ait-Nouri.
• 20 years old: Cherki's age at the time of the deal.
• 12 goals: The number of goals Cherki scored for Lyon last season.
• 20 assists: The number of assists Cherki provided for Lyon last season.

Sources:

• "Manchester City confirm deal for Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki in £33.7m swoop" - Mail Sport
• "Pep Guardiola's City face Club World Cup crunch to secure Triple Swoop deal" - Mail Sport
• "Rayan Cherki: The Lyon midfielder making a name for himself in European football" - L'Equipe
• "Manchester United and City 'still keen' on Cherki despite Bilel Ghazi's links to Kylian Mbappe's mother" - Le Progres