Lyon are reportedly demanding a fee of around €30m (£25m) for highly-rated midfielder Rayan Cherki, as both Liverpool and Chelsea are linked with the Frenchman.
The 21-year-old has emerged as a sought-after talent, particularly after Lyon’s recent financial troubles, which saw the club provisionally relegated at the end of the season.
Reports initially suggested Liverpool were considering a cut-price move for Cherki, but Chelsea have since reignited their long-standing interest in the midfielder.
During the summer, Cherki was close to joining Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth €15m (£12.5m), but Lyon president John Textor recently clarified that such offers are no longer acceptable.
Even amid the threat of enforced relegation, Lyon have significantly raised their valuation of Cherki, with Foot Mercato claiming the club now expects at least €30m for the player in January.
Some sources within the club are reportedly pushing for an even higher figure of €35m (£29.2m).
Lyon face a challenging balancing act. On one hand, they need to offload players to stabilize their financial situation.
On the other, they are striving to avoid relegation and secure a spot in next season’s Champions League – a goal that would provide much-needed financial relief.
Club officials are reluctant to sell Cherki or any key players at a discount, but the touted £25m fee could still represent a bargain for a player of his talent and potential.
In addition to Liverpool and Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen have also been linked with Rayan Cherki, while PSG are believed to maintain an interest in the France Under-21 international.
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