- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Newcastle United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford are the Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Lyon winger Rayan Cherki though Paris Saint-Germain are expected to make a move of their own.
HITC understands that a PSG side who have made a concerted effort in recent times to make the Parc des Princes home to the most talented French footballers are hot on the heels of another of the nation’s rising stars.
The Champions League semi-finalists snapped up Randal Kolo-Muani, Ousmane Dembele, Lucas Hernandez and Bradley Barcola back in 2023. Rayan Cherki is emerging as one of the top targets for 2024, meanwhile, Luis Enrique’s side set to make a move if Xavi Simons – as expected – is allowed to leave the capital on yet another loan deal.
Xavi thrived during spells at PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig. Another temporary exit is on the cards, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa keen although the La Masia graduate is understood to favour a return to Barcelona.
Chelsea are also big admirers of fellow youngster Cherki.
Chelsea and Newcastle United in Rayan Cherki race
One year Xavi’s junior at just 20, has long been viewed as one of the most exciting up-and-comers in Ligue 1. While still far from the finished product, Cherki has made big progress since the appointment of Pierre Sage as Lyon’s head coach midway through 2023/24.
An impressive end to the season took his tally to three assists and eight goals in all competitions.
HITC have been told that a number of clubs in England see Cherki as a huge talent, with Brentford, Newcastle and Tottenham joining Chelsea in being kept abreast of the France Under 23 international’s situation.
”He is still a young player, very talented,” former Lyon coach Laurent Blanc said in 2023. “I think we are on the right path. We have come a long way. We always want more because he has exceptional qualities. We’re very demanding with him.”
Cherki was likened to Hatem Ben Arfa, a fellow Lyon graduate, by another one-time OL boss in Bruno Genesio. Like the one-time Newcastle cult hero, Cherki is blessed with awe-striking technical ability and a penchant for the spectacular.
If he is to exceed Ben Arfa’s achievements, however – and enjoy a career more akin to that of the maverick winger’s former team-mate Karim Benzema – then greater consistency is required both on and off the pitch.
“He’s a very exciting talent,” is the opinion of Ligue 1 expert Jonathan Johnson, writing in his Caught Offside column. “Somebody who looks to have a great career ahead of him.
“Similarly to Eden Hazard when he first established himself (at Lille), he looks very technically skilled, versatile, and he’s probably the best young player to emerge from Lyon’s youth academy for many years, possibly even since Karim Benzema.”
Chelsea’s next Eden Hazard?
Hazard, of course, left Lille for Chelsea over a decade ago. Whether Cherki follows in the brilliant Belgian’s footsteps remains to be seen, though Chelsea have certainly displayed few qualms about spending heavily on untapped potential since that Todd Boehly-led takeover.
The Blues are also in pursuit of a new head coach after the shock departure of Mauricio Pochettino on Tuesday, with Vincent Kompany, Michel, Thomas Frank and Enzo Maresca under considaration.
Pochettino’s exit is not, however, expected to interrupt their pursuit of Jhon Duran, according to the £17 million Aston Villa striker’s agent.
Chelsea have also agreed a £60 million package with Palmeiras for teenage winger Estevao Willian.
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