Manchester City supporters have been told exactly what to expect from Rayan Cherki, who is closing in on a move to the club from Lyon this summer.
The France international has emerged as a priority target for Manchester City this summer as they look to add fresh energy and creativity into the centre of the pitch, particularly with Kevin De Bruyne due to depart as a free agent in the coming weeks.
Club officials have already moved with intent this summer as they looked to get names through the door during the mini-transfer window that allows for business to be concluded ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders are expected to be formally announced by Manchester City in due course, after both players completed medical testing over the weekend having been granted temporary exits from their respective national teams during the ongoing break.
Matters concerning Rayan Cherki have been slightly more difficult however, with differences between Lyon and City over the player’s price tag, although there remains confidence of a deal being struck before the deadline.
Speaking during a press conference while on international duty with France, Real Madrid superstar and teammate of Cherki, Kylian Mbappe spoke honestly about the talents of the 21-year-old playmaker.
“His qualities are obvious, there was never any doubt about that,” the former Paris Saint-Germain forward insisted on Cherki.
He continued, “He is someone who has brought us [France] a lot and will continue to do so. His feet speak for themselves.”
Despite falling narrowly short of a place in the UEFA Nations League Final at the weekend, Rayan Cherki was a stand-out performer in France’s 5-4 defeat to Spain in the semi-final of the tournament via a substitute appearance.
Appearing from the bench in the final moments of the contest, Cherki managed to provide a remarkable goal on the half-volley from distance before offering an assist late in the game to give his side some hope of a comeback that would ultimately never develop.
His full international debut would come just days later as part of a third-place play-off meeting with Germany, in which France would emerge as victors and take the bronze medal in the latest edition of the competition.
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