Manchester United’s new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is reportedly keen on making a move for Lyon starlet Rayan Cherki, who is also on the radar of Newcastle and West Ham United.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Manchester United are interested in signing Newcastle United and West Ham United target Rayan Cherki from Lyon in the January transfer window. The report has claimed that the presence of Sir Jim Ratcliffe could accelerate the Red Devils’ pursuit of the 20-year-old.
Sir Jim Ratclifafe Arrives at Manchester United
On Christmas Eve, Manchester United confirmed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed to purchase a 25 percent share of the club, subject to the Premier League’s approval. His involvement in the club will include control of their football operations, which means he will have a significant impact on their recruitment plans.
Ratcliffe, who owns Ligue 1 club Nice, has a network in French football that could help them in their move for Rayan Cherki, who is someone Manchester United have long admired but could now step up their pursuit of in the Ratcliffe era.
Having broken into Les Gones’ first team at the age of just 16 in 2019, Cherki has unsurprisingly been hailed as a player with immense potential for a long time now. Although some serious injury problems have hampered his progression, the 20-year-old has already made 119 appearances for Lyon’s senior squad, racking up 14 goals and 18 assists. And he has been a regular starter for Lyon in the 2023/24 campaign.
He has not enjoyed the finest of starts to the campaign, with just two assists to show for from his 17 French top-flight outings amid Lyon’s disastrous start, which sees Les Gones languish in 15th in the table, just two points clear of Toulouse in the relegation play-off place.
Jadon Sancho’s exile and likely sale, coupled with Antony’s appalling form, have left Manchester United embarrassingly short of right-wing options. Rayan Cherki, still only 20 years old, is a player worth investing in. The French forward can play numerous positions across the front line, having played as an attacking midfielder and right winger this season.
Lyon only have tied down until the end of next season. There is no indication of how much Cherki might cost. But the Red Devils’ will likely face competition from fellow Premier League rivals Newcastle United and West Ham.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, could do with the addition of a versatile forward of Cherki’s calibre and electric dribbling. Anthony Gordon has impressed under Eddie Howe. But Miguel Almiron is definitely a player who could be replaced, even if he works his socks for the team.
The Hammers’ interest stems from head coach David Moyes’s desire for more dynamism in attack, which is no secret. Jarrod Bowen continues to be a reliable goalscorer, with nine to his name in the league so far this term. But the rest of the Irons’ attack has been pretty toothless at times.
