Chelsea keeping tabs on 21-year-old Ligue 1 star but face competition from Premier League club: Reports
Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on Olympique Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki. This is according to a report from Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, who believes that Newcastle United are keen observers of the situation too (via The Hard Tackle).
While there has been interest from the aforementioned Premier League clubs, the France under-23 international hasn't particularly stood out in this campaign. He's started just three of his six Ligue 1 appearances, scoring and assisting once each.
A move to Chelsea may be tempting for the youngster, given the attacking nature of football under new manager Enzo Maresca. However, it is unlikely that the 21-year-old will be preferred over current Blues number 10 Cole Palmer in the attacking midfield role.
That being said, Cherki is versatile and can play out wide if necessary. While Noni Madueke has locked down the position on the right wing, the place on the left is up for grabs. Since the start of the season, this spot has been contended for between Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho.
Further, Cherki will not be an expensive purchase, with his current market value being €20 million. Moreover, he has entered the final two years of his contract at Lyon, which may help interested parties lower his selling price.
To date, the attacker has made 150 appearances across competitions for his current employers, bagging 19 goals and 28 assists. A move to the Magpies may also be sufficiently tempting, given it would allow Cherki to play in the Premier League.
Barcelona and Inter Milan keeping tabs on unhappy Chelsea midfielder - Reports
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is reportedly unhappy with the lack of game time he is seeing under new manager Enzo Maresca. In the Blues' recent outings, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia have been preferred in the deeper midfield roles, with Cole Palmer operating as the number 10.
Hence, SPORT are now claiming that the Argentina international is on the radar of top European sides like Barcelona and Inter Milan. Meanwhile, reports in England are suggesting that the player himself could be looking for a way out of Stamford Bridge (via Barca Universal).
However, a move for the former Benfica midfielder will not be cheap, with the player valued at €75 million at the moment. Since coming to west London in January 2023 for a whopping €121 million, Fernandez has made 75 appearances for Chelsea, bagging seven goals and six assists.