Chelsea are considering making a move for Lyon youngster Rayan Cherki, a source has told football.london.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, who has less than two years remaining on his contract at the Groupama Stadium, played a key role for Lyon in the top tier of French football last season. Cherki featured 34 times – more than double the amount of appearances from the previous season – in Ligue 1, where he scored four goals and assisted six times to help OL finish in seventh-place.
football.london understands Chelsea sent scouts to watch the France Under-21 international on several occasions last season, where they also monitored the progress of incoming right-back Malo Gusto, who signed in the January transfer window. Cherki is a product of the Lyon academy, with the teenager being with the club since the 2009/10 season after signing from fellow French side Saint-Priest.
"[Cherki is a] very creative and unpredictable attacking midfielder," Lyon expert Nicholas Mamo told football.london in an exclusive interview. "Cherki is the type of player you give the ball to when your team is looking for a last-minute winner."
Cherki, though, has a great working relationship with Lyon manager Laurent Blanc. The 57-year-old coach heavily relied on the teenager's talents last season in what was an underwhelming campaign for the French giants. Also, the approach from Lyon in the summer transfer window may make things a bit more complicated for Chelsea in terms of landing their target.
When asked what sort of valuation the French club has put on Cherki, Mamo replied: "It's difficult to say, especially because of the club's new direction. [John] Textor [Lyon's president] does not seem keen on selling players.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All of the latest updates coming out of Stamford Bridge
"[Jean-Michel] Aulas [Lyon's former president] planned to sell players for €70million [£60million] this summer, whereas Textor held out and sold nobody before the end of June. Instead, Textor is trying to find funding elsewhere to prioritise the sporting side.
"Lyon want €35million [£30million] for [Castello] Lukeba, whose contract expires in 2025, like Cherki. Lukeba is one year older, a defender and significantly less hyped. I expect Lyon to push for at least €40million [£34.3million] for Cherki, but they might go for more. At that price, however, I expect other teams, maybe even PSG, to start a bidding war."
Mamo added: "Personally, I do not think Lyon will sell him this year. He has a great relationship with Blanc, and he knows he will always be courted. Lyon will probably sell Lukeba and try to extend Cherki's contract, especially now they have offloaded several players with expensive contracts.
"He is the best player from Lyon's academy in a very long time, maybe since [Karim] Benzema. The fans will react poorly [if he is sold], although the extent of it will depend on the price. If the club do not sell him this year, they will have to extend his contract or sell him next year. That might temper expectations a bit.
"Either way, Lyon have been preparing for his sale for a long time. Contract negotiations with him are always drawn-out and they had a few scares and possible sales before. Overall, it's a big test for the new direction."
Cherki, however, at 19, is by no means what one would consider the finished article. That is to be expected of course. Just look at Dele Alli when he arrived at Tottenham – of course, under Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea's new head coach.
Pochettino helped turn Alli into one of the country's most exciting young talents. The Argentine helped the former MK Dons youngster turn into an established England international. Since Pochettino left Spurs, Alli has been unable to replicate what he once showcased in north London.
The new Chelsea boss excels in mentoring younger players with a point to prove. Those who are not world-class but have the ability and potential to develop into just that. That is what Chelsea would be getting if they signed Cherki from Lyon.
When asked by football.london whether Cherki would be a success at Stamford Bridge, Mamo warned: "Eventually, maybe, but not immediately. His off-the-ball movement, involvement when the team is out of possession, decision-making on the ball and finishing all need a lot of work.
"He doesn't even have a whole season of first-team football under his belt. He needs at least one or two more seasons of regular football to improve. He is young enough to afford it."
It definitely looks like Chelsea are preparing for life without Mason Mount, who is on his way to Manchester United. The two Premier League clubs agreed a £60million move for the England international last week after months of speculation over the midfielder's future in west London.
Mount had his medical with United on Monday at the club's training base in Carrington. Official confirmation awaits but Chelsea have already accepted Mount is leaving and are looking elsewhere to replace the Cobham graduate.
Cherki could be that man. By all accounts, he seems an extremely exciting prospect. A player that has that bit of magic about him; one that can change a game with a dribble or a shot. This transfer rumour appears to have plenty of legs.
