Pep Guardiola Beats European Rivals to Land Lyon’s ‘Wizard’ as Club World Cup Looms
Manchester City have won the race for Lyon’s dazzling playmaker Rayan Cherki, agreeing a €40 million deal to bring the French international to the Etihad in what experts are calling a potential transfer masterstroke.
The 21-year-old, who lit up France’s recent Nations League campaign with a stunning cameo against Spain, has reportedly signed a five-year contract after City pivoted from their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz. With medical tests pending, the deal could be finalized in time for Cherki to feature in next week’s Club World Cup.
The transfer represents a coup for Pep Guardiola’s side, who fended off interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Bundesliga clubs to secure a player valued at €39.5m. Lyon’s financial struggles made Cherki’s departure inevitable, but City’s swift negotiations ensured they landed their man before Tuesday’s Club World Cup registration deadline.
Cherki’s arrival continues City’s French revolution following Tijjani Reijnders’ signing and the impending capture of Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri. For a player once criticized for erratic performances, his breathtaking international debut – featuring a goal and assist in just 27 minutes – suggests Guardiola may have uncovered the Premier League’s next superstar.
As one Etihad insider put it: “At €40m, this could be the bargain of the summer.” With City’s track record of developing young talent, the stage is set for Cherki to transform from Ligue 1 prospect to global phenomenon.
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