Liverpool have been dealt a major blow in their summer transfer plans as Manchester City have reportedly agreed personal terms with a player who Arne Slot met for talks
Manchester City have reportedly agreed personal terms with Liverpool target Rayan Cherki.
The Lyon forward has been linked with a move to Anfield this summer with him reportedly available for around £30million. It was said that Arne Slot had cut short his holiday to fly to the south of France to hold talks with Cherki about joining the Premier League champions.
However, City appear to have stolen a charge, with Fabrizio Romano saying that Pep Guardiola’s Citizens and Cherki have reached an agreement on personal terms. He adds that an official bid from City will be submitted in the next hours.
City are said to have begun initial club to club talks over the weekend and it appears the deal is moving quickly. The 21-year-old scored 12 goals and registered 20 assists in all competitions last season.
Pep Guardiola has ramped up his summer transfer window plans after it was reported earlier today that City have agreed a £46m deal, rising to £59m, for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
Should City conclude both deals in good time, both players could be available to play in the Club World Cup that begins later this month.
Liverpool are said to have previously held talks with Cherki. However, the acceleration of Florian Wirtz’s potential move to Anfield saw the Reds eye the German as their priority target this summer.
The Reds are hoping to conclude what would likely be a British record transfer fee for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder. Bayer Leverkusen have already rejected two bids from Liverpool and are said to be holding out for £120m.
Liverpool appear to have beaten City to Wirtz’s signature, with Guardiola’s side previously linked with him, as well as Bayern Munich.
Speaking at a press conference on international duty with France, Cherki said about his future: “All the possibilities are credible.
“But there are two important matches with the French team. When the question comes up, I’ll ask it. It won’t affect the start of my training camp. I’m not looking at what’s happening elsewhere.”
