JUST IN: Manchester City Strike €40m Deal To Sign Rayan Cherki From Lyon—-Manchester City have agreed a deal with Olympique Lyonnais to sign French playmaker Rayan Cherki, with a five-year contract set to be completed in the coming hours.
The two clubs reached an agreement on Monday morning after City improved their initial offer. While the final fee has not been disclosed, it is understood to be in the region of €40 million (£33.7 million).
Cherki is expected to fly out shortly to join City’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, which begins next week.
The 21-year-old has agreed personal terms and will remain under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2030.
City begin their tournament against Wydad Casablanca on June 18 before further fixtures against Al Ain and Juventus in the group stage.
Cherki, who came through Lyon’s academy and made his first-team debut at 16, has long been viewed as one of France’s brightest talents.
He made 185 appearances for Lyon in all competitions and delivered a career-best campaign in 2024-25, registering 12 goals and 20 assists.
That included goals in both legs of Lyon’s Europa League semi-final against Manchester United, and a place in the competition’s Team of the Season.
His form also earned him a first senior call-up for France during the UEFA Nations League finals this month. He made his debut off the bench in a semi-final defeat to Spain before starting and scoring in a third-place win over Germany.
Cherki’s creativity and versatility have been key to his rise. Naturally two-footed, he is capable of playing across attacking midfield positions and both flanks.
While less structured than Pep Guardiola’s usual midfield options, Cherki’s flair, vision and dribbling ability offer a different dimension.
Lyon were initially reluctant to sell, but financial pressures forced their hand. The club had been issued a provisional relegation and transfer ban in November due to financial concerns.
Club owner John Textor had previously insisted Cherki would not be sold, but mounting debt and an impending financial audit by French football’s governing body meant Lyon accepted City’s improved bid.
Cherki is now poised to begin the next chapter of his career in Manchester and could make his debut before the end of the month.
The move brings a long-running transfer saga to an end and adds another talented creative force to Guardiola’s evolving squad.
