EXCLUSIVE : ‘Future Ballon d’Or Winner’ Wants to Join Liverpool

Exclusive: ‘Future Ballon d’Or Winner’ Wants to Join Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been handed a boost ahead of the summer transfer window as Rayan Cherki has decided that he would be keen to complete a move from Lyon if he is given the opportunity to embark on a fresh challenge at Anfield, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Fresh from being crowned Premier League champions last weekend, following a comfortable victory over Tottenham Hotspur, the Reds have set their sights on overseeing a spending spree as they seek ways to upgrade their squad before attempting to defend their title during the 2025/26 campaign.

Giorgi Mamardashvili is on course to head to Merseyside in the coming weeks, thanks to a deal worth up to £29million being agreed with Valencia last year, but Liverpool are still determined to bolster their options in other positions despite succeeding in tying Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk down to new contracts.

Cherki Showing Interest in Merseyside Switch

Anfield among most enticing destinations for Frenchman

Cherki wants to join Liverpool this summer, according to GMS sources, but there is some scepticism over whether Slot is prepared to grant the winger’s wish as the Dutch tactician is pushing to make stringent personality checks and seeking very specific traits when considering his options in the transfer market.

The 23-cap France under-21 international is preparing to enter the final 12 months of a contract which allows him to pocket in excess of £65,000-per-week at boyhood club Lyon, resulting in there being significant uncertainty over where his long-term future lies as the summer window edges closer.

GMS sources have been informed that Liverpool and Arsenal would be the most enticing Premier League destinations for Cherki, who has been productive in the final third of the pitch this term, and his representatives have been contacting a host of sides in a bid to gauge their level of interest before the end of the season.

The 21-year-old, who has been described as a ‘future Ballon d’Or winner’ thanks to his performances in a Lyon shirt, has wasted no time in pinpointing potential landing spots after giving indications that he is ready to take his career in another direction ahead of the 2025/26 campaign getting underway.

Cherki’s agent has been eager to contact Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City to discover whether they would be prepared to make a move for his services in the coming months, GMS sources have learned, but he has already decided that he would be eager to head to Anfield.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Rayan Cherki made three key passes and grabbed an assist during Lyon’s win over Rennes last weekend

Reds Would Face Competition to Land Cherki

Premier League rivals want to seal deal for 21-year-old winger

GMS sources have been told that Liverpool’s main competitors for Cherki, if they choose to up the ante, could prove to be Tottenham Hotspur as the north Londoners have a genuine interest and Manchester United’s admiration has faded even though he is in line to be available for as little as £25million.

The Reds were among the sides to send scouts to watch the 21-year-old in action in the Europa League last month, as Slot continues deliberating over whether to enter negotiations, and it has become increasingly likely that he will move onto pastures new when the transfer window reopens.

Cherki is not interested in joining Fulham, Crystal Palace or West Ham United even though they have been keeping tabs on his situation, GMS sources understand, while Newcastle are threatening to make a move after he has been included on their shortlist and Manchester City are seeking an attacker who matches his profile.