Manchester City are exploring a move for Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki this summer, according to a report.
The Citizens are believed to be prioritising the addition of at least four new players ahead of next season as part of a major squad rebuild under new sporting director Hugo Viana.
Midfield reinforcements are expected with Kevin De Bruyne leaving upon the expiration of his contract in the summer, while the long-term futures of Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan are thought to be uncertain.
Sports Mole understands that Grealish and Man City are open to parting ways this summer, while Bernardo has regularly expressed a desire to return to boyhood Benfica before he retires.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz had been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium and was seemingly identified as an ideal replacement for De Bruyne, but recent reports have claimed that Man City have now cooled their interest, with Liverpool leading the race for his signature.
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Man City eye 'bargain move' for Cherki this summer
Man City have seemingly shifted their focus to a cheaper alternative, with The Telegraph reporting that 21-year-old Cherki is a 'live possibility' for Pep Guardiola's side in the early stages of the summer.
The Citizens are said to have joined the race for the Frenchman and interested suitors widely believe that he has a release clause in his contract of around £20m to £25m.
Lyon allegedly agreed a €15m deal with Fulham to sell Cherki last summer, but he turned down a move to Craven Cottage and is seemingly holding out for a move to a bigger club.
Borussia Dortmund are also said to have moved for Cherki earlier in the season, while Liverpool and Chelsea are among the clubs who have previously been credited with an interest, without confirmation of approaches from the Premier League duo.
Meanwhile, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that both Cherki and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White are on Man City's shortlist of No.10 targets and their pursuit of both players does not affect their interest in AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders, who is considered as a top target for the No.8 position.
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Cherki expected to leave Lyon this summer after impressive season
Following Lyon's final Ligue 1 fixture of the season just over a week ago, Cherki confirmed that he is likely to leave the club this summer, telling reporters: "Thanks to OL, the coach, the staff, the president, my teammates and all people at the club".
Cherki, who has just a year remaining on his Lyon contract, was a standout performer for the French giants in 2024-25, scoring 12 goals and registering 20 assists in 44 games across all competitions.
The versatile attacker, who can operate centrally or out wide, contributed to 12 goals (four goals, eight assists) in as many Europa League matches, scoring twice over two legs in Lyon's quarter-final defeat to Manchester United, who have also been linked with the Frenchman.
It is understood that while several European clubs see huge potential in Cherki that could be harnessed by the right coach, his temperament and defensive work rate are considered by some as weaknesses to his game.
Thierry Henry, who has coached Cherki at France Under-21 level, recently heaped praise on Cherki's performances this season, but he has warned interested suitors that the attacker must receive tough love from whoever is managing him in the future.
Oliver Thomas
