Manchester City fans cannot wait for the summer transfer window to open – and it looks as though the club are ready to step up their pursuit of one target in particular.
Pep Guardiola has watched his side flounder this season.
Manchester City could yet finish second in the Premier League table. But the club are a long way behind champions Liverpool.
City could also win the FA Cup this weekend, and that would constitute a decent end to the campaign.
But Guardiola will know that the season has still been fairly disappointing, and he and new director of football Hugo Viana will endeavour to ensure the squad is much stronger going into 2025/26.
Florian Wirtz has been on Manchester City’s radar for quite some time.
But amid fears Bayern Munich could win the race to sign him, City are now said to be making contact over another attacking midfielder.
Man City make enquiry over Rayan Cherki transfer
Over in France, Rayan Cherki has enjoyed an outstanding season with Lyon.
The 20-year-old has been the standout performer for them, scoring 12 goals and making 19 assists across all competitions so far.
With numbers like that, transfer interest from other clubs is inevitable – and City like what they see.
According to Le Parisien, City have now made an enquiry to Lyon over Cherki.
But so have Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, suggesting there could be a tug-of-war over the youngster this summer.
Cherki is available for £19 million this summer, according to the outlet, which is astronomically cheaper than the valuation placed on Florian Wirtz by Bayer Leverkusen.
Man City may find Florian Wirtz alternative in Cherki
A lot of City fans have their hearts set on the club signing Florian Wirtz this summer.
But Bayern Munich are strong contenders to sign Wirtz, who is supposedly being pushed to make that move by his father.
But there is actually some data to suggest that Cherki would be a very good alternative, and possibly more creative than the German.
As per fbref, Cherki has a higher SCA per 90 (shot-creating actions) than Wirtz this season (6.09 vs 5.81).
Cherki has made 19 assists across all competitions this season, to Wirtz’s 15.
And then, as per Statmuse, Cherki has created 21 ‘big’ chances so far this season. This puts him fifth among all players in Europe’s top five leagues. The only players who’ve created more are Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise, Mo Salah and Bukayo Saka.
Wirtz has created 16 big chances, putting him in 17th place.
Cherki is also top of the pile when it comes to chances created by players 21 and under across Europe’s top five leagues.
