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Rayan Cherki has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time, and interest only looks set to ramp up this summer.

The Olympique Lyonnais attacking midfielder has been in fine form this season for the French giants, with Cherki’s form reviving interest from Liverpool having led the Ligue 1 side to a UEFA Europa League quarter-final and a top-six finish.

As a result, Cherki has now confirmed that he will leave Lyon in the summer, putting the likes of Liverpool on high alert for the 21-year-old talent, who could be quite the addition for many top sides across Europe in the transfer window.

Indeed, Cherki is a player that ticks the boxes for what Liverpool are lacking in an attack-minded midfielder, and the Lyon star’s decision to leave the club will give the Reds as perfect an excuse as any to make a move for the French youth international.

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With Liverpool close to signing Jeremie Frimpong already from Bayer Leverkusen, it’s clear that the Reds are ready to spend big this summer, with Arne Slot ready to add to his Premier League-winning squad in order to go the distance once again next season.

And with Cherki leaving Lyon, the Anfield side need to go all out to bring the 21-year-old to Merseyside, with the Lyon maestro simply too good an option to pass up on having now confirmed his availability this summer.

Moreover, with Cherki expected to cost just £21m, Liverpool can secure a potential all-time bargain if an agreement with Lyon can be struck at this price, with the Ligue 1 star ready for a move to the Premier League at this stage in his career.

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As well as costing well below market value, Cherki could be an easier player to sign than Leverkusen star and Germany international Florian Wirtz, who despite being on Liverpool’s radar, could be too difficult a target to acquire this summer.

Wirtz is another attacking midfielder Liverpool have been linked with in recent months, yet with an asking price of £100m and strong interest from the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City, the odds of the Bundesliga star heading to Anfield remain slim.

Which is why Cherki is such an ideal alternative to Wirtz, who not only could come at a fifth of the price, but also has less competition for his signature, though this could change as we approach the summer transfer window actually opening.

Having already made a move for Frimpong, Cherki should be Liverpool’s next target after the Lyon star’s announcement, where the French talent could be a welcome addition for the Reds this summer.


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