Real Madrid are plotting a move for 18-year-old French prodigy Rayan Cherki, who is interestingly viewed as a successor for Karim Benzema.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Real Madrid are weighing up a move for Rayan Cherki for a future transfer window. Interestingly, the Spanish giants are eyeing the 18-year-old French attacking sensation as a potential successor for Karim Benzema.
Rayan Cherki joined Lyon from Saint-Priest in the early days of youth footballing days before making swift progress through the ranks at the French club. The teenage prodigy then broke into the first-team setup early in the 2019/20 season and he has since made significant progress in his career.
To date, Cherki has made 45 appearances for Les Dogues while chipping in with seven goals and six assists in the process. His growth trajectory has not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid one of several clubs to have shown an interest in the 18-year-old for quite some time now. And Los Blancos now appear to be ready to make their move for him.
As iterated, Real Madrid have been closely monitoring the progress of Cherki for quite some time now and he is a player who would fit in their first-team setup. A versatile attacker, the French whizkid has the ability of playing across the attacking line, meaning he could fit in Carlo Ancelotti’s setup.
However, the report suggests that Cherki is being viewed as a potential long-term successor for Karim Benzema, which is odd as he is not a striker by trade. While he can play upfront, the 18-year-old will need to be moulded into the role in the years to come.
Instead, signing someone like Erling Haaland, who is more of a natural striker would make sense for Real Madrid, who are the favourites to land the Borussia Dortmund ace as well. Cherki, on the other hand, could be a solution out wide, where he could compete with Eden Hazard, Vinicius Jr. and others.
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The Merengues are likely to have an advantage in pursuit of the 18-year-old as well, as he recently confessed that they are the club of his dreams. What now remains to be seen is if Real Madrid do end up launching the offensive for Cherki and if the French prodigy subsequently joins the Spanish giants.