Liverpool could reportedly land Lyon talent Rayan Cherki for just €22m (£18.5m) this year, but the Reds will have to fend off two fellow European giants to secure his services.
The seven-time Ligue 1 champions were astonishingly handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 a couple of months back, which could come to fruition without a major upturn in their financial fortunes.
While Lyon are confident that they will retain their top-tier status, Les Gones are expected to be receptive to offers for some of their most prized assets in a despite bid to improve their economic situation.
Pierre Sage's side have already sold Anthony Lopes, Maxence Caqueret, Jeffinho and Gift Orban this month, and speculation is naturally raging over the future of the fledgling Cherki.
Liverpool have long been linked with an approach for the 21-year-old, and according to L'Equipe, a gentleman's agreement between him and Lyon means that he could be sold for just £18.5m.
Liverpool battling Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich for Cherki?
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Cherki did sign a contract extension with Les Gones as recently as September, but the report claims that both parties agreed in December that he could leave for that modest fee, as his new terms only run until 2026 anyway.
However, Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are also reported to be showing interest in the 2003-born protege, who has five goals and eight assists to his name from 23 matches in all competitions this season.
In addition, journalist Christian Falk recently told CaughtOffside that Bayern Munich are also genuine contenders for Cherki's signature, and the German powerhouses could have the edge thanks to a well-placed connection.
"Bayern have Rayan Cherki on their shortlist. The club is interested in the player," Falk said. "Lyon would be prepared to sell him in the winter for around €22m, but FC Bayern does not want to make a deal in January; Cherki is looking like a stronger candidate for the summer.
"The two clubs have a good relationship in part because Michael Gerlinger – who previously worked with Bayern for 18 years – is now the Global Football Director of the Eagle Football Holdings group, of which Olympique Lyonnais is a part."
Cherki burst onto the scene with Lyon as a teenager and has already represented the first team on 164 occasions, scoring 22 goals and providing 33 assists since making his debut shortly after his 16th birthday.
Could Liverpool replace Harvey Elliott with Cherki?
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While Cherki is a young, exciting, diminutive playmaker, Liverpool already have one player in their ranks who fits that description to a tee - Harvey Elliott.
The 21-year-old's future has also been the subject of uncertainty of late, as he is still waiting for his first Premier League start of the campaign and has totalled just 292 minutes from 12 appearances all in all.
However, Elliott is not believed to be actively searching for an exit from Anfield in the near future, although it will be interesting to learn if his stance changes should the Reds go all in for Cherki.
Ben Knapton
