Who is Rayan Cherki? Liverpool eye 'next Eden Hazard' transfer as Mohamed Salah replacement

Rayan Cherki has emerged as a target for Liverpool ahead of the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League for a while now as he continues to impress for Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1.

According to French outlet Sports Zone, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have approached the French giants regarding a potential deal for Cherki. The report states that Paris Saint-Germain also remain interested in the France Under-23 international, who wants to leave the Groupama Stadium.

With uncertainty surrounding the futures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez at Anfield, the Reds appear to be preparing for their potential departures. Mohamed Salah also sees his contract expire next year amid continued speculation linking him with a move to Saudi Arabia.

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As it stands, foreign clubs will soon be eligible to begin pre-contract talks with the Egyptian regarding a free transfer. Al-Ittihad had a verbal £150m offer for Salah rejected last summer, Liverpool Echo understands.

It's believed that Saudi Pro League sides will try their luck again this year if they're given any hint of encouragement that he might look to move on. Arne Slot will also be keen to stamp his identity on the Liverpool team, and Cherki has reportedly caught his eye.

Liverpool Echo have rounded up everything you need to know about the Reds' latest reported transfer target.

Who is he?

Cherki, who sees his contract at the Groupama Stadium expire in 2025, featured 33 times for Lyon in the French top flight this season, scoring just one goal and providing six assists. Despite a poor start to the campaign, the Frenchman played a key role in Pierre Sage's side as they clinched Conference League qualification.

He also helped Lyon reach the Coupe de France final; Cherki featured in a every round of the competition, scoring two and assisting three. Unfortunately for the youngster, PSG reigned victorious at the last hurdle.

How much will he cost?

The CIES Football Observatory currently price Cherki at €40m (£34m), while Transfermarkt believe he's worth €25m (£21.3m). With his contract at Lyon set to expire next year, he's available for a cut-price fee before clubs outside of France can then begin pre-contract negotiations ahead of a free transfer in June 2025.

Who else is interested?

According to French outlet Sports Zone, as quoted by GFFN, Tottenham and PSG are also interested in Cherki. Last summer, out sister site football.london understood that the Frenchman was one of several names on Chelsea's shortlist as they looked to sign a new right winger.

The Blues eventually signed Cole Palmer on deadline day. It's said that the Blues sent scouts to watch Cherki star on several occasions, where they also monitored the progress of Malo Gusto, who was signed in January 2023.

Who does he play like?

Speaking to TNT Sports, Martin Mosnier compared Cherki to Hatem Ben Arfa and Eden Hazard. The French pundit said: "Cherki is an exceptional dribbler, one of the first things one notices when watching him is that he appears to be ambipedal, as he can seemingly utilise both feet equally well.

"His strengths are as follows: key passes, dribbling and his ability to create something out of nothing. He could very well become a Premier League star like Eden Hazard, but I think it's still too early for him to leave."

What has been said about him?

In January 2023, the Lyon president publicly criticised Paris Saint-Germain for making an 'insulting' offer for Cherki. Speaking to RMC Sport, Jean-Michel Aulas said: "I had a long time with Nasser [al-Khelaifi], who called me on Saturday evening, to find out whether or not we were in negotiations for Rayan Cherki.

"I told him no, and Nasser told me, 'okay, it's over', and he added that PSG would therefore not make a new offer. I thank him for this direct and sincere contact. We did not enter into negotiations, but the level of the offer was insulting."

In July 2023, Laurent Blanc addressed Cherki's future. In an interview with French newspaper Le Progres, as quoted by RMC Sport, he said: "Lyon must say, okay if these are figures at an impressive level, but on the other hand at this price, I tell him to stay one more year in Lyon.

"I'd really mind if he left. It's the same for Cherki. Especially since we made room for them. It would be a little early, but maybe I'm being a little selfish."

In October 2023, Fabio Gross heaped great praise on Cherki. As quoted by French outlet RMC Sport, the former Lyon boss said: "I was aware of Rayan Cherki before his performance in the Espoirs [France Under-21s] match.

"He possesses extraordinary potential, and everyone hopes he can translate that potential into consistent performance. Is he a special player? He’s a player; he’s not a special player. He’s a player like any other, albeit with some additional qualities.

"But it’s not just technical qualities that matter; there are mental and athletic qualities as well. He possesses enormous technical abilities, but he needs to work on the others."

Then, following a win over Strasbourg in the Coupe de France quarter-final, Pierre Sage explained how he's managing the youngster's expectations. The Lyon boss said: "We’re patient with him and will not give up because he’s a kid from the club…

"It’s his patience today which is his strength and we’re waiting for his performances to stabilise and allow him to have more playing time."