West Ham United reportedly view 21-year-old French attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki as the priority target for the January transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Rayan Cherki is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers have identified the Lyon attacking midfielder as their priority target for the January transfer window. Meanwhile, the Ligue 1 outfit will demand around €30 million to part ways with the 21-year-old prospect in the coming months.
The Rayan Cherki story
Rayan Cherki has established himself as one of the most promising young prospects in Ligue 1 in the last few years. A native of Lyon, the Frenchman began his youth career with AS Saint-Priest before joining Lyon in July 2010. Since then, he has come leaps and bounds, especially since breaking into the first-team squad.
Cherki made his first-team bow for Lyon as a 16-year-old in December 2019 and has been with the senior squad for nearly half a decade. The 21-year-old has turned out almost 150 times thus far for Les Gones while chipping in with 19 goals and 25 assists.
Meanwhile, Rayan Cherki’s progress at the Ligue 1 club has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Reports in the summer transfer window linked the French midfield prospect with many Premier League bigwigs. Interest from the English top flight remains, with West Ham United among his suitors.
London calling?
West Ham United’s interest in Rayan Cherki is understandable. The Hammers are in a spot of bother over the long-term future of Lucas Paqueta amid his betting controversy. While a verdict might not arrive anytime soon, West Ham should have a contingency plan in place.
So, several candidates, including Julio Enciso, have emerged on West Ham United’s radar, with Cherki also an option. The Hammers have identified the 21-year-old French midfield prospect as their priority target for the winter transfer window. Meanwhile, Cherki will not cost a bomb, with Lyon demanding around €30 million to part ways with him in January.
West Ham should have the funds to afford a deal worth €30 million to sign Cherki from the Ligue 1 club in the coming months. However, it will be interesting to see if the Frenchman wants to join the East London club in the January transfer window.
