Rayan Cherki 'chooses' which Premier League club he wants to join amid Liverpool and Man City interest
Rayan Cherki has made his decision on whether to join Liverpool or Manchester City amid intense transfer speculation.
Cherki has attracted plenty of interest following his performances in France's Ligue 1 with Lyon, where he scored 12 goals in 44 games across all competitions last season.
Man City have been keeping tabs on his situation as they look to bolster their squad ahead of this month's Club World Cup in the United States.
Premier League champions Liverpool are also thought to be in the mix, with Arne Slot cutting his holiday short to personally meet with the talented Frenchman.
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But the 21-year-old has decided to sign for Man City, according to Florian Plettenberg.
Cherki is set to sign a contract until 2030 and will command a transfer fee in the region of £29 million-£34 million.
German journalist Plettenberg claims 'personal terms were never an issue' and said the player's camp are 'hoping for a quick agreement' ahead of an official announcement.
Cherki has been at Lyon for his entire career, having graduated from the club's youth academy.
But he insists he is ready to move to a big club this summer.
"I’m ready for any system. I work every day, physically and mentally, to be ready," he told L'Equipe.
"Above all, I’m trying to choose the best option for me, to develop as a person and a footballer."
Cherki added: "You’re never sure of anything. But I’ll say it: I did what I wanted to do at OL, be a true Lyonnais and give everything for my club.
"I didn’t leave the ship in difficulty. I stayed, I gritted my teeth. I cried, I laughed, I was scared. But a man has to be like that, it’s part of his DNA. Even when it’s hard, even when you cry, even when you’re scared, you have to go to war for your club."
Cherki isn't the only player on the verge of linking up with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad as Tijjani Reijnders is also closing in on a transfer to the Blues.
Man City have agreed a £46.3 million deal with AC Milan for Netherlands midfielder Reijnders.
Nasir Jabbar