Man Utd target Lyon ball player who nearly knocked them out of Europa League

Manchester United are sizing up a £25m deal to sign Lyon’s Rayan Cherki after his fine display against them in the Europa League.

The Red Devils’ Premier League campaign is in tatters, sitting 14th after a 4-1 thrashing at Newcastle, but their Europa League heroics have kept their Champions League qualification dreams alive.

A pulsating quarter-final win over Lyon on Thursday night secured a semi-final clash with Athletic Bilbao, and now United are eyeing a bargain swoop for the French star who tormented them.

United drew 2-2 in Lyon’s first leg, with Andre Onana’s errors gifting goals to Thiago Almada and Cherki.

The second leg at Old Trafford was a rollercoaster—United led 4-2 on aggregate after goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot only for Lyon to storm back and take the game into extra time.

And then in a thrilling finale, after Lyon scored twice, Kobbie Mainoo and then Harry Maguire netted for the Reds.

According to The Daily Mail, United are among Europe’s elite circling the 21-year-old Cherki, who has a verbally-agreed £25m release clause. Cherki’s goal contributions this season have also drawn interest from Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain.

The attacking midfielder’s flair and maturity make him a steal at that price. All of Europe’s top clubs are watching Cherki and his release clause makes him a gamble worth taking.

For Amorim his goals nearly knocked United out, but landing him could bolster the No. 10 role where they have struggled so badly this season.

United’s attack has been dire—37 league goals, worse than all but the bottom three and Cherki’s creativity could be transformative. “He’s a genius,” posted @UtdDistrict, echoing fan excitement after his Lyon display. @muyaninav added, “Cherki in Amorim’s system? Yes please!”

United’s Europa League run, potentially worth £100m in Champions League revenue, boosts their transfer appeal. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, keen to avoid past flops like Antony’s £85m disaster, backs Amorim’s pursuit of value deals like Cherki’s.

However, competition is fierce—Liverpool’s Arne Slot sees him as a Mo Salah successor, and PSG want a hometown hero. United’s edge? Amorim’s vision and Old Trafford’s stage.

If United seal the £25m move, Cherki could line up alongside targets like Wolves’ Matheus Cunha (£62.5m) or Ipswich’s Liam Delap (£40m) in a revamped attack. With Bilbao next and a Europa League trophy in sight, Amorim’s gamble on Cherki could turn a near-nemesis into United’s saviour. For now, fans are buzzing: “Sign him and laugh last,” tweeted @RedDevilHype.

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