Report: Liverpool, Spurs and Newcastle target £25m French wonderkid

According to GFFN, Rayan Cherki is likely to leave Olympique Lyonnais this summer, with several clubs interested in pricing the attacking midfielder away from the club. The article points out that Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are among the clubs evaluating Cherki’s potential move. “There is only one season left on Cherki’s contract at Lyon and it has been clear for some time that the young Frenchman is assessing his options.”

This growing interest is understandable given Cherki’s potential and versatility on the field. As clubs look to strengthen their midfield options, Cherki presents a compelling case with his technical ability and creativity.

Rayan Cherki, 20, has been a standout performer for Lyon this season. With 33 appearances in the championship, he managed 6 goals and 1 assist. Notably, his performance is backed up by impressive underlying stats that show his potential. For example, Cherki ranks in the 85th percentile for total shots per 90 (2.96), 93rd percentile for shot creation actions per 90 (5.72), and 80th percentile for expected assists per 90 (0.26) .

More impressively, he is in the 99th percentile for successful Ake players, an average of over 4 per 90. These numbers highlight his ability to create and convert scoring opportunities, which is critical for any attacking midfielder. Furthermore, his xG (expected goals) and xAG (expected assists) stand at 5.2 and 4.2, respectively, illustrating his overall contribution to the team’s offensive play. Despite not having the highest number of goals, Cherki’s contributions in the build-up game and creating chances are invaluable.

When comparing Cherki to Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, the stats reveal some interesting contrasts. Cherki’s xG of 5.2 and xAG of 4.2 outweigh Elliott’s xG of 2.7 and xAG of 3.5, showing Cherki’s superior positioning and playmaking skills. However, Cherki’s 77.6% pass completion rate is lower compared to Elliott’s 83.7%. This suggests that while Cherki may take more risks in his game, leading to more frequent turnovers, those risks often lead to high-value opportunities for his team.

Cherki also has a higher number of touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 minutes (8.1) compared to Elliott (7.1), indicating his more advanced approach and positioning. This aspect of his game could add another dimension to Liverpool’s attacking play. They are undoubtedly different teams, but both young forwards are left-handed and play an attacking midfield or right-wing role.

Cherki is currently valued at €25m according to Transfermarkt, with his contract set to expire in June 2025. Given Lyon’s struggles this season, a move to a more competitive environment could see Cherki thrive and develop further. His potential transfer fee is reasonable for a player of his caliber and age, especially one who could make a significant impact on a Premier League side.

With Premier League clubs needing creative depth and attacking options in midfield, Cherki seems a plausible target. His ability to unlock defenses and contribute both goals and assists makes him a valuable asset. It wouldn’t be surprising to see one of the three mentioned make a move for Cherki this summer as his style of play aligns well with the dynamic, high-pressing system that Liverpool employ. However, it wouldn’t surprise if PSG did too.