Summer reshuffle looms large at Anfield
Liverpool are preparing for a transformative summer transfer window, with incoming sporting director Richard Hughes and incoming head coach Arne Slot expected to oversee significant movement both in and out of the club.
Sources close to the club suggest a number of senior forwards could be on their way out. Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota are reportedly among those who may be made available, while Luis Díaz and Federico Chiesa — currently of Juventus — have also been linked with potential exits. Young winger Ben Doak could be sacrificed if it helps to balance the books.
In the midst of this potential reshuffle, Lyon’s Rayan Cherki has emerged as a genuine target for Liverpool. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has delivered an outstanding campaign in Ligue 1, recording 12 goals and 19 assists in all competitions.
Cherki’s desire to join Liverpool revealed
Crucially, Cherki is entering the final year of his contract at Lyon and is believed to have a “gentleman’s agreement” in place that would allow him to depart if an offer in the region of €30 million is received.
“Cherki wants to join Liverpool this summer,” states a report by GIVEMESPORT. “…but there is some scepticism over whether Slot is prepared to grant the winger’s wish as the Dutch tactician is pushing to make stringent personality checks and seeking very specific traits when considering his options in the transfer market.”
That caveat may prove decisive. While Liverpool are considered favourites, interest is also understood to be coming from Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United and Bayern Munich were reportedly in the mix earlier this year, though that interest has since cooled.
Nonetheless, Cherki has made his intentions clear. He is open to several options in England but is said to favour a move to Anfield, impressed by the club’s long-term vision and competitive standing.
Slot not yet convinced despite Liverpool scouting missions
Liverpool scouts were present during Lyon’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie against Manchester United, where Cherki was influential over both legs. The Frenchman’s technical ability, flair, and versatility — capable of playing on either flank or as a central playmaker — has not gone unnoticed.
“Cherki’s agent has been eager to contact Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City to discover whether they would be prepared to make a move for his services in the coming months,” continues the report.
“But he has already decided that he would be eager to head to Anfield.”
While the recruitment team have completed their scouting, the final decision rests with Arne Slot, who will weigh the youngster’s fit within his tactical system and dressing room dynamics before giving the green light.
Competition mounting but Liverpool remain in pole position
Despite growing interest from across the Premier League, Liverpool’s status as UEFA Champions League qualifiers and recent silverware contenders could tilt the balance in their favour.
Cherki represents both a short-term weapon and a long-term project — especially at a fee of around £25 million — and if Slot chooses to pursue the deal, it would be viewed as one of the summer’s smartest buys.
Whether or not Liverpool push forward will depend on how their internal clear-out evolves. But one thing is increasingly clear — Rayan Cherki is ready for the next step, and he believes that step should lead him to Merseyside.
The radar chart provided offers a striking visual breakdown of Rayan Cherki’s performance over the past 365 days, benchmarked against midfielders, across 2,839 minutes of action. What stands out immediately is the elite tier attacking output, with the Lyon playmaker registering 99th percentile ranks in a number of key offensive metrics. These include non-penalty goals, expected assisted goals (xAG), non-penalty expected goals (npxG), assists, and shot-creating actions — all signalling an elite final-third threat.
Cherki is not merely efficient in front of goal — he’s also an exceptional ball-progressor, as shown by his 99th percentile for progressive carries and successful take-ons, and 96th percentile for progressive passes. These figures support his profile as a dynamic, two-footed creator capable of bypassing defensive structures both through the dribble and vision. His touches (81st percentile) and progressive passes received (98th percentile) further highlight how involved he is in Lyon’s build-up and chance creation.
However, the chart also presents a clear weakness in defensive contribution. Cherki ranks in the 1st percentile for clearances, blocks, and tackles + interceptions, while also posting just 1% in aerial duels. This implies he contributes very little off the ball, which may be a point of concern for more rigid tactical systems — particularly under a manager like Arne Slot, who reportedly values character and work rate highly.
That said, his offensive metrics are among the best in Europe, and for clubs like Liverpool seeking to inject creativity and unpredictability into their attacking third, Cherki represents a high-ceiling acquisition. The data underscores why the 21-year-old is attracting such strong interest — he is a match-winner in waiting, albeit one who needs the right tactical environment to thrive.
