Tottenham Hotspur are set to join a fiercely competitive race for one of Europe’s brightest young talents as Olympique Lyon’s Rayan Cherki prepares to make a move this summer.
According to The Mirror, up to five English clubs are keen to lure him to the Premier League and are closely monitoring his situation in France.
The 21-year-old French forward has turned heads across the continent with a stellar 2024/25 campaign, and Spurs are keeping a close eye on developments as interest from Premier League rivals intensifies.
Cherki, who has been likened to Lionel Messi, has produced outstanding numbers this season, notching 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for Lyon.
He scored twice over both legs of the Europa League quarter-final against Manchester United, which saw his reputation skyrocket even further.
That tie may have ended in defeat for Lyon, but Cherki announced himself to the world with a performance that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Tottenham want to bolster their attacking options this summer, and signing Cherki would be a massive coup if the Europa League winners can pull it off.
Spurs capped off a miserable campaign with a 1-0 win over United to lift the Europa League title and end their 17-year title drought.
That win qualifies them for the Champions League, which bolsters their chances of signing Cherki.
Cherki would be a smart long-term investment for any club. With a reported release clause of €22.5 million (£19m), the Frenchman could represent exceptional value in today’s market.
However, Tottenham wouldn’t get a free run at the Frenchman. Europa League runners-up United are long-time admirers of Cherki and are also firmly in the mix.
The Red Devils had hoped to bring him into their academy during Nicky Butt’s tenure, but missed out as Cherki opted to stay in his hometown.
Now, they’re looking to finally land their target, but they’ll have to fend off interest from not only Spurs but also Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Manchester City.
Outside the Premier League, European giants Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan are also interested.
It remains to be seen how this transfer saga will pan out, but Spurs must do everything in their power to lure Cherki to north London. He’d be a statement signing heading into next season.