Kevin De Bruyne is definitely leaving, and reportedly, Jack Grealish’s future at the Etihad is also in question. Bernardo Silva has been rumored to be on the way out for the past two or three summers, and with this season’s results, it’s become clear that a squad rebuild is necessary — and Manchester City plans to carry it out. Across all areas of the team, though the midfield appears set for the biggest overhaul.Contract and jersey of the same color ready for De BruynePhil Foden is staying — there’s no doubt about that — but there’s a growing sense that the club wants to entrust the creative role to someone else. City has effectively opened a “search” for a new playmaker, put together a shortlist, and today a new name emerged in the public eye: Rayan Cherki.According to the Telegraph, Manchester City has entered the race for the signature of one of the most sought-after players on the market right now. Reportedly, the club has already inquired with Lyon about the transfer costs of the 21-year-old midfielder and has added him to the list alongside Morgan Gibbs-White.🚨🇫🇷 Manchester City are looking at signing Rayan Cherki (21) from Lyon! 🔵✨Clubs widely believe that Cherki has a release clause in his contract of around £20-25 million, reports @mcgrathmike/@TeleFootball. pic.twitter.com/qyCGnic2K8— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 27, 2025 It’s worth recalling that Florian Wirtz was also on City’s list until recently, but the club dropped the idea due to the potentially massive cost of the deal — which, factoring in salary, signing bonuses, and agent fees, was estimated by club executives to reach around 300 millions.Cherki, on the other hand, wouldn’t come close to putting that kind of strain on City’s finances. The newly capped French international had a release clause of just under 30 millions during the winter window. Although some media outlets claim that clause is no longer valid, Cherki would still be significantly cheaper than Wirtz — and even cheaper than Gibbs-White, for whom Nottingham Forest is reportedly seeking around 100 millions.Cherki will end up costing City 6 times less than Wirtz. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/QPJoDKaog4— Radu Cristian (@radhoo12) May 27, 2025 However, competition for Cherki’s signature will be fierce. From Dortmund and PSG to Liverpool and Chelsea, several clubs have expressed interest in Lyon’s talented attacker after he recorded 12 goals and 20 assists in the recently concluded season.The Telegraph also notes that Cherki’s potential arrival would not affect City’s separate pursuit of AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, whom the Etihad side views as an ideal solution for the No. 8 role.##NAJAVA_MECA_8952548##
