Manchester United eye player Chelsea snubbed

Reports suggest that Manchester United is eyeing a move for Lyon’s rising star, Rayan Cherki, as the club looks to bolster its squad in the upcoming transfer window.

This renewed interest comes one window after Chelsea passed on the opportunity to sign Cherki in favor of Cole Palmer.

Cherki first attracted attention from United during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure, and it was reported that the club had engaged in talks with the young talent’s parents when he was just 15 years old.

Throughout his young career, Cherki was also linked to other European giants, including Barcelona, AC Milan, and Real Madrid. However, he ultimately chose to commit to Lyon by signing a permanent contract.

Now 20 years old, Cherki showcased his potential by contributing to 10 goals in Ligue 1 last season, featuring in 34 matches. His impressive journey reached a milestone when he became Lyon’s youngest-ever goalscorer at just 16, earning praise from none other than Kylian Mbappe in 2020.

However, despite his promising start, Cherki and his Lyon teammates have faced a challenging beginning to the 2023/24 campaign.

Lyon, under the management of Fabio Grosso, has yet to secure a victory in Ligue 1 and finds themselves at the bottom of the table with just four points from 10 matches.

On the international stage, Rayan Cherki continues to make an impact. He recently excelled for the France U21s, contributing two goals and two assists in a resounding 9-0 victory over Cyprus.

Football Insider now reports that Manchester United has revived their interest in the talented attacking midfielder, viewing him as a potentially “shrewd signing” in 2024.

However, a move in the upcoming January transfer window may prove challenging, as the club grapples with financial issues related to Financial Fair Play (FFP).

Notably, Newcastle United has also expressed interest in Cherki, with manager Eddie Howe compiling a three-player shortlist, which includes Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, in anticipation of the January transfer window.

While Chelsea had shown interest in Cherki during the summer, they ultimately opted to secure the services of Cole Palmer from Manchester City instead.

A promising sign for both Manchester United and Newcastle is that Cherki’s current contract has only 18 months remaining, despite signing a new deal earlier this year.