Shelved on his return from the Olympic Games, where he participated in the French team’s campaign to the silver medal, Rayan Cherki should soon be free. While there was talk for a time of an interest from Paris Saint-Germain, then Borussia Dortmund, it is in a prestigious formation that the attacking midfielder of Olympique Lyonnais could continue his career.
According to The Athletic, Fulham are in the running to secure the services of Cherki, whose contract expires in a year. The Cottagers are said to have made an offer of €14 million plus bonuses, in order to convince OL, which is in the middle of a liquidation operation to replenish its coffers. Crystal Palace are also following the case closely but are said to be more reluctant to make a concrete proposal.
With a former OL teammate?
Fulham are one of the most active teams in the Premier League at the moment, as the London side finalise the arrivals of Cherki’s former Lyon teammate Joachim Andersen and Norwegian Sander Berge from Burnley.
Rayan Cherki has a fluctuating market value, likely due to his inability to be regularly on the pitch and in the good books of his coaches over the past 18 months. The player who made his professional debut at the age of 16 and became Olympique Lyonnais’ youngest goalscorer in history, could discover the Premier League with a club that will be aiming for a comfortable place not far from the top 10, after finishing the previous season in 13th place.