Why Man United must go all out to beat Man City to 'mini Mo-Salah' who is 'perfect' Fernandes replacement
A Manchester United transfer target could be available for a bargain fee this summer
Man United are eager to improve their squad this summer after what has been a historically poor season at Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim’s side had their worst Premier League finish in the club’s history.
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The area of the pitch where they need to improve is in attack, as they struggled to score goals for a large part of the season. They look set to add Wolves’ Matheus Cunha already, but are in need of more.
One player that could help fill that void is Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, who has been linked to joining Man United. They got to see him play twice during their Europa League tie against the French side. Cherki scored in each of the two legs against the Red Devils.
Manchester City enter race for Rayan Cherki
According to fresh reports, rivals Manchester City are keen to make a move to sign the 21-year-old this summer, as they look to replace the departing Kevin De Bruyne in his attacking midfield role. Cherki is reportedly on City’s shortlist alongside Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White. But, due to Cherki’s release clause which is up to £25m, he would be much cheaper than Gibbs-White.
Man United have already spoken with the French international, and now that City are in for him, it makes it ever-more vital that United get a deal across the line for the 21-year-old. Cherki has scored 12 goals and provided 17 assists for Lyon this season, showing himself to be somewhat of a ‘mini Mo Salah’ in the way that he can provide a threat both in creating chances and scoring them himself.
With his price at a maximum of £25m, Cherki is arguably one of the best bargains in European Football this summer, and United could do with bringing in a young midfielder who can easily become one of the best in the Premier League. This season, the Red Devils’ midfield looked vacant in transition to attack at a lot of times. Cherki would be the sort of player who could come in and help with chance-creation, making Amorim’s midfield a lot more fluid moving forward.
Rayan Cherki is key in Bruno Fernandes saga
Recent reports have said that Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal want to sign Bruno Fernandes for £100m, and United could be forced to sell him due to their precarious position regarding Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
If they do sell Bruno, Cherki would be the perfect replacement for him, as they are similar players, with the Frenchman being slightly more of an attacking midfielder - he is also capable of playing on the wing. To lose out on a long-term replacement for their best player to a rival team would be gut-wrenching for United, especially considering that he will be available this summer on such a cheap deal.
Any deal for Cherki will likely rest on how much he wants to play Champions League football, or how much he wants guaranteed minutes. City can offer CL football next year, but he will have a lot more competition for places under Pep Guardiola. Amorim can guarantee him game time, especially if the Red Devils are forced to sell Fernandes to Al-Hilal this summer.