Chelsea have now stepped up their interest in signing Lyon star Rayan Cherki. The Blues have been in direct contact with the Frenchman's representatives in recent days, football.london understands.
Cherki has recently emerged as a potential replacement for Mason Mount, with Chelsea in the market for a new creative outlet this summer. The 19-year-old wonderkid has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge following an impressive rise to prominence at Olympique Lyonnais and more recent performances at the European Championships for France Under-21s.
Cherki, who sees his contract expire in two-years, featured 34 times for Laurent Blanc's side in Ligue 1 last season, directly contributing towards ten goals. Despite his age, the teenage sensation has quickly established himself in the Lyon starting lineup.
So, with that being said, football.london has compiled all the latest news on Chelsea's potential move for Cherki this summer...
Chelsea step up Rayan Cherki transfer interest
Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Rayan Cherki and have been in direct contact with the Frenchman's representatives in recent days, football.london understands.
Lyon, however, who have the 19-year-old under contract until June 30, 2025, are determined to keep hold of their prized asset. Interestingly enough, the French club have not said he is not for sale, but with their widely reported financial problems at the moment, they will try to get every penny possible out of Chelsea should they make a bid.
An offer is under consideration, with Chelsea and Cherki's representatives speaking in recent days to try and come to an agreement on personal terms. Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Cherki after having a bid turned down for the teenager in the January transfer window.
If Lyon were to sell, though, they would rather do business with Chelsea rather than strengthen one of their league rivals. Other targets are also being looked at by the west Londoners, but football.london understands Cherki is now the priority in that specific position.
Huge development
According to TeamTalk, Cherki wants to join Gusto at Stamford Bridge this summer. The report states that the Blues have a good relationship with Lyon and officials from west London have already held talks over a potential move.
Two birds, one stone
The Blues are considering a move for Cherki, who sees his contract with the French outfit expire in two-years, football.london understands. It's believed that the west Londoners sent scouts to watch the attacking midfielder on several occasions last term, where they also monitored the progress of Malo Gusto, who was signed in January.
Asking price
Chelsea have been handed an idea of the funds they will need to part ways with to complete a move for Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki. According to, But Football Club, the French outfit have set an asking price of £43million for their talented playmaker.
Mbappe approval
Kylian Mbappe has already approved Chelsea's decision to pursue Rayan Cherki as the Blues consider whether or not to make a formal approach.
After Cherki recorded two goals and two assists in one game for Lyon at the age of just 16, Mbappe hopped onto Twitter and wrote: “Don’t talk to him too much about age, huh."
'Insulting bid'
In January, Jean-Michel Aulas publicly slammed Paris Saint-Germain for making an 'insulting' offer for the £43million-rated teenager. Speaking to French outlet RMC Sport, the Lyon president said: "I had a long time with Nasser [al-Khelaifi], who called me on Saturday evening, to find out whether or not we were in negotiations for Rayan Cherki.
"I told him no, and Nasser told me, 'okay, it's over', and he added that PSG would therefore not make a new offer. I thank him for this direct and sincere contact. We did not enter into negotiations, but the level of the offer was insulting."
Lyon relationship
Chelsea have recently dealt with Lyon, Rayan Cherki's parent club, in the transfer window during negotiations to sign Malo Gusto. The right-back sealed a permanent move to west London in January but was then loaned back to France for the remainder of the season.
Both parties were happy with that agreement and thus it could help the Blues make a summer move for Cherki. However, Lyon were left disgruntled by how Chelsea handled the hamstring injury suffered by Gusto which saw him return to London Cobham for further treatment.
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