Lyon open to sale of Rayan Cherki for cut-price £17m after West Ham United summer interest
West Ham could sign Lyon starlet Rayan Cherki for just £17m in January after Lyon became open to a sale, according to FootMercato.
Writing on their website (7 December), the French news outlet report that the Hammers were interested in the playmaker during the summer but Lyon ultimately opted not to sell him.
However they are now in a relegation battle and with Cherki’s contract due to expire in 2025 they could be open to a sale for around €20m (£17m) in January, and while West Ham haven’t come forward officially this time around they could look to reignite their interest according to the report.
Answer
West Ham have been excellent in the transfer market in recent windows and the squad has really improved in the attacking midfield options.
Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahma and Mohammed Kudus have all stepped up to help with the issue of not having an out-and-out goalscorer in the squad.
Frank Leboeuf described Cherki as “unbelievable” and “one of the best players on Earth” (ESPN, 12 July 2023) but his form this season has been stuttering with the team’s shocking form.
But with Bowen now seemingly being deployed as a striker under Moyes, Cherki could come into those attacking midfield roles alongside the previously mentioned options and provide more creativity and firewpower.
£17m would be an absolute bargain for a player of his quality and it would be a typical Tim Steidten move to get this type of deal done, so it’s certainly one to keep an eye on heading into January.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano drops update on future of big-money star at London Stadium.