PROFILE | Rayan Cherki finally has the consistency to earn a big-money move | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki has had a rather up-and-down year in 2024. The Lyon academy graduate has flirted between being on the periphery of the first team, almost leaving the club in the summer transfer window and becoming a first team regular since Pierre Sage arrived at the Groupama Stadium.

Internally at OL, the attacking midfielder is considered one of the most technically gifted talents to have ever graduated from the club’s esteemed academy. However, despite all his talent, the 21-year-old has not always had a consistent opportunity to show it and flourish into the player many associated with the Rhône club believe he is good enough to become.

The Frenchman started the year struggling for starting minutes at his boyhood club. Although depended on regularly from the bench, he was only a starter four times out of the 17 matches he was available for during the second half of the 2023/24 season. Despite only playing 641 minutes in Ligue 1 during the first half of the year, the playmaker was still productive with a goal and four assists in those limited minutes.

With only one year left on his contract with Les Gones heading into the summer, the France youth international was placed in the “loft” ahead of the preparations for the current season. The player’s situation attracted the interest of several clubs around Europe over a potential transfer – most notably PSG, Borussia Dortmund and Fulham. Over the summer, he was also a part of Thierry Henry’s France squad that won silver at the Olympics but only featured sporadically.

Cherki heavily linked with Liverpool move

Dortmund had agreed terms with Cherki and the Lyon-born attacking midfielder was already to swap France for Germany but the Bundesliga club had reservations and a proposed deal fell through. Later in the window, Fulham registered an interest and had an offer accepted, but he was unenthused by the prospect and decided to stay at his hometown club. Away from all the noise of the transfer window, the Frenchman agreed terms to extend his stay at Lyon.

A new deal has seen his place in the first team restored this season and he has been awarded with a starting berth. Continuous impressive displays of skills and flicks combined with increased output (five goals and seven assists) has seen his stock rise and seen him adopt the role of chief creator.

With a view to 2025 and his club in financial trouble, a potential move could be on the horizon as his imposing performances attract the interest of several clubs including Liverpool.

GFFN | Liam Wraith