- Liverpool are currently in negotiations over a record move for Florian Wirtz
- Cherki, 21, is the subject of strong interest from Reds’ rivals Manchester City
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot held talks with Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki in the south of France last week, according to reports.
The Premier League champions are currently locked in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen to sign primary target Florian Wirtz after a £109million bid was rejected on Monday.
The Bundesliga side want £120million for their star man, which would be a British record transfer fee, and it is believed that both clubs are keen to find a middle ground.
However, before the Reds’ move for Wirtz accelerated, it has been revealed by the Athletic that Slot took time away from his own holiday to speak with Cherki, who is a target for Manchester City.
Such conversations between Liverpool and the French starlet are not believed to have progressed any further, and the Merseyside club are focusing on getting the Wirtz deal over the line.
Meanwhile, City have since opened talks with Lyon over Cherki, who is valued around £35million.
It has been revealed that Liverpool have shown concrete interest in Lyon’s Rayan Cherki this summer
Arne Slot reportedly flew to the south of France last week for talks with the French playmaker
Discussions with Cherki took place before Liverpool accelerated interest in Florian Wirtz
Pep Guardiola, who is bringing in former Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders as his new assistant, has given the green light for City to bid for Cherki after also holding talks with the 21-year-old.
Some reports have suggested that Cherki’s release clause is as little as £19m, as his current contract is set to expire in 2026.
Nevertheless, it is understood that Lyon will hold out for more money, and City are reportedly working with them to reach an agreement.
City were also in pursuit of Wirtz as they hunt down a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne – who is leaving after a decade of service – but the German playmaker opted to move to Liverpool, with a deal believed to be progressing.
According to Bild, Wirtz opted against a move to City due to concerns over the long-term future of Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola is widely regarded as the best manager of his generation and Wirtz had been keen to play under him, but the Spaniard only has two years remaining on his City contract.
He signed a new deal earlier this season to commit his future to City until 2027 but has since hinted that he will leave when his current contract ends to take a break from the game.
Meanwhile, City have already put forward a bid of around £50m for AC Milan attacking midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, as they look to reinvent their aging midfield.
Liverpool are also extremely active in the transfer market this summer, with a £29.5m deal for Jeremie Frimpong already wrapped up.
