Manchester City have completed the signing of French international Rayan Cherki from Lyon, sealing the deal just in time to meet the registration deadline for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder joins Pep Guardiola’s side for a fee of €36.5 million (£30.3 million), with an additional €6 million in potential add-ons. The move sees Cherki become part of a revamped City squad determined to bounce back after a rare trophyless campaign last season.
Speaking to the club’s official media, Cherki expressed his excitement: “This is a dream for me. To be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special.
“I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff. Everyone knows how good City are – they have been so successful for many years now. The responsibility to help the team continue winning is something I want to embrace.”
Cherki becomes the second new arrival at the Etihad this week, following the signing of left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolves on Monday. City are also expected to finalise a deal for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders before Tuesday’s registration deadline.
City’s Club World Cup campaign begins on 14 June, with group stage clashes against Moroccan side Wydad AC and hosts Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates. A heavyweight meeting with Juventus looms later in the group stage.
It has already been a busy year in the transfer market for the Premier League giants. The club splashed over £172 million in January on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico González.
Cherki, a product of Lyon’s esteemed academy, made his senior debut at just 16 and quickly became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer in 2020. He leaves Lyon having scored 29 goals in 185 appearances, including two crucial strikes in this season’s dramatic Europa League quarter-final against Manchester United, which ended 7-6 on aggregate in favour of the Red Devils.
The youngster also made his senior international debut for France last week, marking the occasion with a goal and an assist in a thrilling 5-4 Nations League semi-final defeat to Spain.
City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, is confident in the club’s latest acquisition: “There’s no doubt that he’s now in the best place possible to develop further under Pep’s guidance. I really believe he can become a world-class player with our support and direction.”
With a fresh crop of talent and a point to prove, Manchester City are gearing up for a major assault on the Club World Cup and the season beyond.