Fulham have made an offer of £12 million to sign Lyon starlet Rayan Cherki after Paris Saint-Germain pulled out though Premier League rivals Crystal Palace are also in the mix.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
Two weeks ago, Ligue 1 giants Olympique Lyonnais confirmed that the door was open for the France Under 21 international to leave the Groupama Stadium before the September deadline.
Despite rising through the ranks at Lyon and drawing comparisons with a young Eden Hazard, Rayan Cherki was made available for transfer. The 21-year-old winger is keen for a fresh start, while he has less than 12 months left on his contract.
“Regarding Rayan, we spoke with him at the beginning of the summer. We are still in discussions to find a solution,” OL director David Friio told Le Progres, via Made in Foot.
“He will certainly leave, yes.”
After French champions Paris Saint-Germain withdrew from talks and a proposed move to Borussia Dortmund fell flat, Fulham have emerged as one of the club’s best-placed to win the race for one of Europe’s most naturally-gifted young forwards.
HITC can confirm that The Cottagers have held talks with Cherki’s camp. They have also now made a verbal offer of £12 million. A fee which is close to Lyon’s valuation.
Fulham target Ryan Cherki with Crystal Palace in the mix
London neighbours Crystal Palace cannot be ruled out at this stage either.
Oliver Glasner’s side lost one left-footed right winger in Michael Olise and Cherki shares many of the same qualities as Bayern Munich’s marquee summer signing.
American businessman John Textor, meanwhile, co-owns both Lyon and Crystal Palace. Therefore, potentially opening the door for Cherki to leave the former for the latter.
As things stand, however, it is Fulham who are making progress.
“I don’t know what is best (for Cherki) but everyone has to be a winner in this situation; Rayan and the club,” former Nottingham Forest midfielder Friio added.
“He was trained here (in the Lyon academy). And there is a time in a career where you want to see something else.
“He has all the qualities (to succeed).”
Lyon starlet likened to Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema
There has never been any question about Cherki’s raw talent.
French football expert Jonathan Johnson told Caught Offside that the ‘very exciting’ Cherki is ‘probably the best young player to emerge from Lyon’s youth academy for many years, possibly even since Karim Benzema’.
“Similarly to Eden Hazard when he first established himself, he looks very technically skilled (and) versatile,” Johnson said.
Less flattering comparisons have been drawn with Hatem Ben Arfa, however. Also a graduate of the Lyon academy, Ben Arfa was a footballer capable of truly mesmerising moments of skill but never really lived up to his potential as one of the world’s greatest talents.
Should Fulham win the race, the task will fall on Marco Silva to ensure that Cherki’s career can be turned in the direction of Chelsea icon Hazard and the legendary Real Madrid striker Benzema.
Fulham, who lost 1-0 to Manchester United last week, have signed only Ryan Sessegnon, Jorge Cuenca and Emil Smith Rowe this summer. Craven Cottage could yet see a few new and intriguing additions before the window closes, however, with Sander Berge expected to arrive from Burnley and discussions over Cherki now underway.
HITC understands that former centre-half Joachim Andersen should also return in a £30 million deal from Crystal Palace.
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