Manchester United have supposedly jumped to the head of the queue for Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki, who haunted them in the Europa League last week.
The Red Devils were left to rue what could have been as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Les Gones in the first leg of their quarter-final last Thursday, where Cherki struck a last-gasp leveller.
The 21-year-old benefitted from Andre Onana's second howler of the night to rescue a stalemate for Lyon, who now have something to take to Old Trafford for next week's return fixture.
Cherki's late leveller took the Frenchman onto 10 goals for the term in all competitions, and the Lyon attacker has also registered an astounding 18 assists from 37 games during a fabulous 2024-25 season.
Having made his debut at just 16 years old, Cherki is actually one of Lyon's longest-serving players and is now fulfilling his potential, earning admirers from across the continent in the process.
Man United 'leading Liverpool' in race for Cherki
© IconSport
Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Man United have all been credited with an interest in Cherki, who is only under contract with Lyon until 2026 and is therefore likely to be on the way out this summer.
A fee of £20m would supposedly suffice, as Les Gones were provisionally relegated to Ligue 2 earlier this season and will need to raise funds through summer sales to avoid an unthinkable demotion.
According to The Mirror, Man United are now the front-runners to sign the Olympic silver medallist, whom they tried and failed to sign for their academy before he signed his first professional contract at Lyon.
The report adds that the Red Devils are ready to 'make a move' for Cherki, who rejected the chance to join Paris Saint-Germain from Lyon last year but holds Man United in a positive light for a unique reason.
Cherki and his representatives were apparently shown round Carrington before he committed himself to Lyon, and the 21-year-old has not forgotten how hospitable Man United staff were during his visit.
As a result, the Red Devils will have a 'head start' over Spurs and Liverpool in the race for Cherki, who boasts a total of 27 goals and 43 assists in 178 matches for Lyon across all competitions.
Cherki: The perfect fit for an Amorim system
© Imago
A nifty, intelligent player with a low centre of gravity and exceptional close control, Cherki's best work either comes from the right flank or when drifting inside to a central position.
The 21-year-old therefore seems to be a natural fit for one of the number 10 roles in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system, unlike a handful of Man United attackers currently out on loan.
Neither Antony (Real Betis) nor Jadon Sancho (Chelsea) should resurrect their Red Devils careers this summer, and what the future holds for Marcus Rashford is anybody's guess.
Rashford and Amorim will reportedly hold clear-the-air talks if Aston Villa do not take up their option to sign him permanently, and there is a chance that he will be involved in Man United's pre-season tour to the USA.
Ben Knapton
