Liverpool manager Arne Slot has received a favorable development ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, as Rayan Cherki has expressed his interest in transferring from Lyon, should the opportunity to pursue a new challenge at Anfield arise, according to sources from GIVEMESPORT. Following their recent triumph as Premier League champions after a decisive win against Tottenham Hotspur, the Reds are focused on initiating a significant spending spree to enhance their squad in preparation for defending their title in the 2025/26 season. Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to join the team in the near future, with a deal valued at up to £29 million having been finalized with Valencia last year. Nevertheless, Liverpool remains committed to strengthening their roster in additional areas, even after successfully securing new contracts for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Cherki wants to join Liverpool this summer, according to GMS sources, 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.The 23-cap France under-21 international is preparing to enter the final 12 months of a contract which allows him to pocket in excess of £65,000-per-week at boyhood club Lyon, resulting in there being significant uncertainty over where his long-term future lies as the summer window edges closer.GMS sources have been informed that Liverpool and Arsenal would be the most enticing Premier League destinations for Cherki, who has been productive in the final third of the pitch this term, and his representatives have been contacting a host of sides in a bid to gauge their level of interest before the end of the season.The 21-year-old, who has been described as a ‘future Ballon d’Or winner’ thanks to his performances in a Lyon shirt, has wasted no time in pinpointing potential landing spots after giving indications that he is ready to take his career in another direction ahead of the 2025/26 campaign getting underway.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, GMS sources have learned, but he has already decided that he would be eager to head to Anfield.
GMS sources have been told that Liverpool’s main competitors for Cherki, if they choose to up the ante, could prove to be Tottenham Hotspur as the north Londoners have a genuine interest and Manchester United’s admiration has faded even though he is in line to be available for as little as £25million.The Reds were among the sides to send scouts to watch the 21-year-old in action in the Europa League last month, as Slot continues deliberating over whether to enter negotiations, and it has become increasingly likely that he will move onto pastures new when the transfer window reopens.Cherki is not interested in joining Fulham, Crystal Palace or West Ham United even though they have been keeping tabs on his situation, GMS sources understand, while Newcastle are threatening to make a move after he has been included on their shortlist and Manchester City are seeking an attacker who matches his profile.Fabrizio Romano Exclusive Liverpool Arne SlotRelatedFabrizio Romano Exclusive: Liverpool Want to Sign ‘Exceptional’ Aston Villa StarGMS sources recently revealed that Liverpool have held positive talks with Dean Huijsen’s agent over a potential summer switch from domestic counterparts Bournemouth, highlighting that Slot is not only aiming to bolster his options in the final third of the pitch ahead of his second season at the helm.All statistics courtesy of Sofascore – correct as of 01/05/2025Sign up to The GIVEMESPORT Report to get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Dean Jones and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox