Manchester United are leading the chase for exciting Lyon forward Rayan Cherki – the biggest threat to their Europa League ambitions. The 21-year-old, who would cost an accountant-happy £20millon, is being watched by a host of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool.
Cherki almost joined the Old Trafford academy when Nicky Butt was in charge before signing his first pro deal with hometown club Lyon. At the age of 16, United were well aware of the ball playing attacker’s talent and, despite missing out, they have since monitored the France Under-21 star and are now set to make a move in the summer.
Last summer Cherki turned down an approach from French giants Paris Saint-Germain, which helped make him a hero with the Lyon fans.
But knowing how well treated he was when he was shown around United’s Carrington training ground has given the Reds a head start for a player who equalised in the last seconds of Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League tie.
Cherki insisted post-match in France that the French side were the better team in the first leg and would head to Old Trafford for Thursday’s return in confident mood.
“We were much better than them,” he told reporters. “We know they are a good team, but we have never been afraid of them and we will never be afraid of them.
“Second leg – we will go there to attack.”
Cherki is enjoying a standout season in France, so much so that former Arsenal utility man Ainsley Maitland-Niles, a current team-mate, rates him as the most naturally-talented footballer he’s played with.
“He is the best natural talent I’ve ever seen,” he told the BBC. “An absolute master, a wizard with the ball. He is taking chances, assists and dragging us up the pitch by taking people on and nutmegging them – he is a genius.
“He is two-footed, has no fear, keeps going and going, can get past people with such ease, such finesse. He is now working for the team off the ball and has gone to another level this season.”
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