Reported Liverpool transfer target Rayan Cherki will be allowed to leave Lyon this month, it has been claimed. The French club remain in turmoil, presenting the Reds an opportunity to continue their current signings trend.

Last year Liverpool became linked with Cherki following the news Lyon could face significant sanctions amid ongoing financial struggles. The playmaker had already been the subject of transfer rumours before it came to light his current club had been slapped with the heaviest of punishments - provisional relegation from Ligue 1, unless they were able to drastically improve their financial standing of losses allegedly exceeding £435m.

In theory, capitalising on such an opportunity matches the approach so far taken by Arne Slot and Richard Hughes to target amrket opportunities - as they did in bringing Federico Chiesa to Anfield last summer.

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Now Liverpool have been given the green light to pursue an agreement this January. According to Fabrizio Romano, Cherki and his employers have a verbal pact allowing him to depart this month. There are said to be 'several clubs' circling, all unnamed, and as his current contract expires in 2026 the price of a transfer this month reportedly stands at just €22.5m (£19m) for any lucky suitor.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Romano wrote: "Rayan Cherki has verbal agreement with OL for January exit available at €22.5m. It’s verbal pact with the player, not formal release clause but same value — as @berger_pj reported. There are several clubs keen on Cherki."

Lyon are in desperate need to raise funds through player sales, whilst the 21-year-old's 22 goals and 33 assists at a professional level have seen him linked with taking the next step in his career for quite some time.

Also benefitting the Reds' situation, despite part of their punishment being a ban on signings this month Lyon had already agreed the winter arrival of like-for-like player Thiago Almada, who has been allowed to join.

Slot and Co will be taking a cautious approach forwards into 2025, in part down to the three key players that are yet to tie themselves down to new contracts. One of those is of course Mohamed Salah.

As the Egyptian remains coy over his place at the club beyond the summer, Cherki presents the opportunity to recruit a relatively low risk contingency.

Of his 163 appearances in France, the Algerian has played 41 times as a right-winger with a return of eight strikes and nine assists. What stands out is his versatility, with experience also playing the attacking midfield, left-wing, centre forward, second striker, right midfield and central midfield positions.