Liverpool could hijack Manchester City’s transfer deal as Arne Slot has cut his holiday short to personally meet with a shock player.
Following their Premier League title triumph last season, Liverpool have already taken steps to bolster their squad. The club has secured the signing of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and is actively pursuing his former teammate, Florian Wirtz, who is currently in talks over a high-profile switch to Anfield.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s domestic rivals are also busy in the transfer market. Manchester City, who are set to compete in this month’s FIFA Club World Cup, are among them.
City will kick off their campaign on June 18, facing Moroccan champions Wydad AC in Philadelphia. In preparation, manager Pep Guardiola is eager to add reinforcements to his squad.
One of the players reportedly on City’s radar is Wolves full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, as the club looks to strengthen ahead of another intense season.
Manchester City are in advanced talks with Lyon over the potential £25 million transfer of Rayan Cherki, but Liverpool may be preparing to disrupt the deal.
New Reds manager Arne Slot reportedly cut his holiday short to personally meet with the 21-year-old in France, according to David Ornstein. The meeting reflects Slot’s urgency to strengthen his squad ahead of the upcoming campaign.
While Liverpool remain fully committed to landing Florian Wirtz, the club is also exploring alternative options. Their pursuit of Cherki is part of a broader strategy to ensure they’re prepared for all scenarios, especially if the Wirtz deal doesn’t materialize.
Slot’s meeting with Cherki was planned before Liverpool’s pursuit of Wirtz picked up speed, signaling that the interest in the Lyon star is genuine and strategic.
Cherki enjoyed an impressive season in Ligue 1, netting 12 goals across all competitions. He also made headlines by scoring against Manchester United in the Europa League, further boosting his profile among top European clubs.
Rayan Cherki has opened up about his future amid growing interest from both Liverpool and Manchester City, stating that he’s prepared to adapt to whichever team he joins.
“I’m ready for any system,” Cherki told L’Équipe. “I train every day—physically and mentally—to be ready for whatever challenge comes next.”
The 21-year-old emphasized that his decision will be guided by what’s best for his personal and professional growth: “What matters most is choosing the right path for my development, both as a player and as a person.”
Reflecting on his time at Lyon, Cherki expressed pride and loyalty. “You can never be 100% certain of anything, but I can say this: I achieved what I set out to do at OL. I stayed true to being a Lyonnais and gave everything for the club.”
He added: “I didn’t abandon the team during tough times. I stayed, endured, and pushed through. I’ve experienced the highs and lows—tears, laughter, fear. But that’s part of what shapes a man. Even in the hardest moments, you have to fight for your club.”
