Chelsea are preparing to make an opening bid for Lyon wonderkid Rayan Cherki as they look to replace Christian Pulisic, sources have told ESPN.
Pulisic is closing in on a move to AC Milan, with the United States midfielder set to undergo a medical with the Serie A giants in the next 24 hours, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Chelsea have made moves to replace Pulisic, with Cherki one of their targets. Montpellier centre-forward Elye Wahi is also on the London club’s shortlist.
Cherki, who was born in Lyon and is a product of the club’s youth academy, is valued at around €40 million and is under contract until June 2025 following an automatic one-year extension in April when he reaches 15 Ligue 1 caps.
His salary was automatically increased on the spot, and he currently grosses €75,000 a week.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain had an offer for Cherki which was rejected by Lyon in January but Lyon are open for a sale.
Lyon’s recent problems complying with France’s financial fair play rules over next season’s budget mean they may be forced to let go of some players if they are to sign players this summer.
Chelsea and Lyon, both owned by Americans, have an amicable relationship following Malo Gusto’s transfer to Stamford Bridge in January.
Cherki, an attacking midfielder who will turn 20 in August, is considered one of the best players of his generation and has been on Chelsea’s radar for some time.
Club scouts kept tabs on him again during the recent UEFA European Under-21 Championships where he shone with France, despite their disappointing quarter-final exit to Ukraine.
Cherki, who is equally good on the right and left foot, offers great versatility as he can play in every attacking position from winger to second striker, No. 10 and even potentially a false 9.
Last season was the best after being able to score four goals and six assists in 21 matches starting in Ligue 1.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are also monitoring the situation of highly rated Montpellier striker Wahi, as first revealed by newspaper L’Equipe on Tuesday and confirmed by sources to ESPN.
The 20-year-old, who is under contract until June 2025, was also part of the France U21 squad earlier this month and impressed in Ligue 1 last season with 19 goals in 33 appearances. Montpellier is ready to let him go for a fee of € 30 million. Several other British clubs also followed Wahi.
Both Cherki and Wahi would suit the youth-centric transfer policy in place at Chelsea since their takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital last year.
