In November, Olympique Lyonnais faced a significant financial setback after scrutiny from the DNCG (Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion), placing the club in a precarious position. Despite this, a January fire sale isn’t necessarily imminent.
While Lyon must sell players to address financial obligations, the club remains firm on waiting for reasonable offers. The looming threat of relegation to Ligue 2 only adds urgency to resolving these challenges.
Among the players who could be sold are Rayan Cherki and Malick Fofana, though likely for less than their market value. Cherki’s two-year contract extension, signed in September, provides Lyon with some leverage, but a January move remains a possibility, according to L’Équipe.
Cherki, who has long expressed a desire to play for Real Madrid, is also attracting interest from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, making his future a major storyline to watch.
On Thursday, Foot Mercato reported that PSG are actively pursuing Cherki for a January transfer. However, they face stiff competition from Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, both eager to secure the talented playmaker. Lyon has reportedly set Cherki’s asking price at €30 million.
Are PSG out of the Rayan Cherki transfer race?
Le10Sport reported on Thursday that Luis Campos and Luis Enrique share the same stance regarding transfers. The PSG coach has emphasized this point multiple times, saying, “If a player has doubts about coming to PSG, we don’t want him!”
While Cherki might currently be in top form and tick all the boxes for PSG, the opportunity has passed, and it won’t be revisited. After last summer’s change of heart, Campos and Enrique have moved on from Cherki.
Meanwhile, The Sun noted that PSG and Borussia Dortmund are competing with Crystal Palace for Cherki, while The Athletic revealed that West Ham’s sporting director, Tim Steidten, has been closely monitoring the 20-year-old.
