Liverpool are ready to hijack Manchester City’s transfer move for a surprise player. New Liverpool manager Arne Slot has left his holiday to fly out and speak to the player personally. This move shocked many fans as it shows how serious Liverpool are about beating their rivals in the transfer market. Liverpool have already started building a strong squad after winning the Premier League title last season. They have already signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. Now they are also pushing to sign his former teammate Florian Wirtz. Talks with Wirtz are ongoing and the deal could be huge.
Manchester City are also working hard to strengthen their team. They are preparing for the FIFA Club World Cup that will happen this month. Their first match is against Wydad AC from Morocco. That game will be played in Philadelphia on June 18. Pep Guardiola is focused on adding more quality players to his squad before that competition begins. Man City have shown interest in several top talents. One of them is Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves. But another big name on their list is Rayan Cherki from Lyon. City are reportedly in talks with Lyon over a deal that could cost around £25 million.
However, Liverpool have now entered the race to sign Cherki and might beat City to the deal. According to journalist David Ornstein, Arne Slot flew to France last week to meet with the 21-year-old French star. This meeting shows how serious Slot is about building his team for the future. He left his vacation just to have a face-to-face conversation with Cherki. This happened even before talks with Wirtz became intense. Slot and Liverpool are planning well. Even though they are focused on Wirtz, they are still checking out other options in case that deal fails. That is why they met with Cherki.
Rayan Cherki is a talented attacking midfielder. He impressed everyone in the French league last season. He scored 12 goals in all competitions. One of his most famous goals came against Manchester United in the Europa League. That performance alone got him noticed by many top European clubs. Cherki is young but already mature in how he plays and how he speaks. In an interview with L’Equipe, he said he is open to playing for either Liverpool or Man City. He said he is ready to adapt to any system. He also said he works every day to improve both physically and mentally. He wants to grow not just as a footballer but also as a person.
Cherki also spoke about his time at Lyon. He said he feels proud of what he achieved there. He said he did not run away when things were hard. He stayed and fought for the club. He said he laughed, cried, and even felt scared at times. But he stayed because that is what a true man does for his club. He said he gave everything he had to Lyon. But now it is time for a new chapter. That new chapter might begin at Anfield or the Etihad.
The transfer race between Liverpool and Manchester City for Cherki is heating up. Both clubs want him. Both clubs are making moves. But Liverpool have made the boldest move so far. Arne Slot’s decision to fly to France shows how serious the Reds are. Slot is not waiting for things to happen. He is making them happen. He wants to get his players early so they can settle in before the season begins. This is a new Liverpool. A Liverpool that is not waiting to react. A Liverpool that is taking control.
Slot knows that next season will be tough. Winning the Premier League again will not be easy. Manchester City will be stronger. Arsenal and other clubs will also fight hard. That is why Liverpool must improve. Slot is not taking any chances. That is why he is personally meeting players. That is why he is acting fast. That is why he is trying to sign Cherki before City do.
This summer could bring one of the most exciting transfer windows in recent years. Liverpool are already busy. Manchester City are also moving. But it is not just about who spends more. It is about who plans better. And right now, Slot is showing that he has a clear plan. He wants players who are hungry. Players who can grow. Players who can fight for the shirt. Cherki fits that style. He is young but fearless. He can play in many attacking positions. He has great technique and vision. And most importantly, he wants to grow. He wants a challenge. And that is what the Premier League offers.
Liverpool fans are excited. They have already seen Frimpong join the club. Now they might see Wirtz and Cherki too. That would be a strong start to Slot’s reign. It would show that he means business. It would show that he wants to win again and again. Manchester City fans are also watching closely. They know their club is never quiet during transfer windows. But this time, they might face a real fight from Liverpool. Slot is ready. Liverpool are ready. The question now is, where will Cherki go?
He has a big decision to make. Liverpool or Manchester City. Both clubs offer him something big. At Liverpool, he could be part of a new project under a new manager. At Manchester City, he could learn from Pep Guardiola and play with some of the best in the world. But wherever he goes, it will be a big step in his career. He has done well at Lyon. He has become a star in France. But now it is time for something bigger.
Cherki knows the pressure that comes with such a move. But he looks ready. His words show that he is mature. He is not just looking for money. He wants the right move. The right manager. The right project. That is why Slot flew to meet him. That is why City are talking to Lyon. Everyone wants to convince him. Everyone wants to be the club that signs him. It is now up to him to choose.
This transfer battle is just one of many that we will see this summer. But it is already one of the most interesting. A young French star. Two Premier League giants. One determined new manager. One legendary coach. And a decision that could shape the future for all of them. Slot is showing courage. He is showing ambition. And he is showing leadership. That is what Liverpool fans want. That is what players like Cherki want to see. A manager who believes in them. A manager who is ready to leave his holiday to talk to them. A manager who is already fighting for the future.
Manchester City will not give up. Guardiola is known for getting the players he wants. But this time, he has real competition. This time, Liverpool are not backing down. The coming days will be key. Will Cherki pick the red shirt or the blue one? Will he move to Anfield or the Etihad? Whatever he decides, it will be a big moment. Not just for him. But for both clubs. For their fans. For their managers. And for the new season.
Slot is already making moves. He is not waiting for luck. He is chasing success. He wants to build something new at Liverpool. Something strong. Something exciting. And Cherki might just be part of that dream. The talks in France could be the beginning of a big story. A story that fans will talk about all summer. And maybe, for many years to come. The Premier League is watching. Europe is watching. And so is Rayan Cherki. The decision is his. But Slot has made his move. Liverpool have made their move. Now the ball is in Cherki’s court.
