Rayan Cherki, often presented as one of the offensive pillars of Olympique Lyonnais, does not start the match against Montpellier this evening. While observers saw him as a starter, the young attacking midfielder finally started on the bench. This surprising decision comes in a context where numerous rumors announce a possible departure of the player before the close of the winter transfer window.
Among the interested clubs, Crystal Palace and Liverpool, in the Premier League, would be in the running to secure the services of the French international hopeful. A sale of Cherki could allow Lyon to relieve its finances, a crucial need for a club plagued by economic problems and monitored by the DNCG.
Pierre Sage evades the question Cherki
Asked by DAZN a few minutes before kick-off, Pierre Sage explained that OL are working methodically on the transfer window. “No, we didn’t talk too much about that. We just thought about certain profiles while avoiding depopulation in the same gaming sector. Instead, we have a set logic and then we will see how things will move,” he said, carefully dodging a direct answer about Cherki’s future.
Cherki started on the bench against Montpellier.
As for the decision to leave the player on the bench, Sage indicated that the young talent could come on in the second half. This clarification seems to rule out the idea of a voluntary sidelining to prepare for a transfer, but it does not completely extinguish the speculation.
A departure still possible
Rayan Cherki’s situation remains unclear. If the OL coach carefully avoids confirming or denying the rumors, the transfer window could still hold surprises. For Lyon, the question will be whether it is better to sacrifice one of its offensive talents to strengthen its finances or to keep it to preserve the sporting balance of a season well underway.
The final decision could come in the coming hours. In the meantime, Cherki remains an Olympique Lyonnais player… but for how much longer?
