Lyon's Rayan Cherki agrees personal terms with Man City as Pep Guardiola closes in on Kevin De Bruyne successor

According to Fabrizio Romano, the 21-year-old is now expected to complete a move to the Etihad Stadium as part of Guardiola’s strategic rebuild following a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. Talks between the two clubs reportedly began over the weekend and have progressed swiftly. Negotiations have reached the final stages, with a formal offer from City expected within hours following the successful agreement on personal terms.

Cherki reportedly has a release clause in his Lyon contract worth approximately £25 million ($34m). City are expected to activate that clause imminently in order to bring the creative midfielder into their ranks.

The Premier League champions endured a rare trophyless season, finishing third in the league and falling to a shock defeat against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. With long-serving midfield maestro De Bruyne set to exit the club this summer, Guardiola is determined to reshape the core of his squad, and Cherki is being positioned as the Belgian’s natural successor.

City have already agreed a deal worth £59m ($80m) with AC Milan for Tijjani Reijnders, who was named Serie A’s midfielder of the year. The Dutch midfielder's arrival, along with the imminent capture of Cherki, signals a clear intention from Guardiola to refresh his midfield options after an underwhelming campaign.

While midfield is receiving the most immediate attention, Guardiola is also plotting changes in the full-back department. Veteran right-back Kyle Walker is set to leave the club permanently, prompting the City boss to consider younger alternatives. Newcastle’s Tino Livramento is understood to be high on City’s list, though the complexity of any potential deal could delay progress. In contrast, City appear closer to completing a move for Wolves’ left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has impressed Guardiola.