Real Madrid’s pursuit of a world-class creative midfielder has led them to a familiar kind of brick wall: a Premier League club that simply doesn’t want to sell. According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Manchester City have made it abundantly clear they have no intention of letting Rayan Cherki leave — and if anyone wants to test that resolve, they’d better come armed with at least €90 million.
What’s Going On With Cherki?
The 23-year-old French international has been nothing short of a revelation since making the move from Lyon to the Etihad in June 2025. After shaking off some early fitness niggles, Cherki delivered a stunning debut campaign in England — 10 goals and 15 assists across 52 appearances in all competitions. That kind of output would turn heads at any club in Europe, and it certainly has. This season he hasn’t let the standards slip either, posting six goals and three assists in just 13 outings so far.
Per the Fichajes report, Manchester City’s position is straightforward: they want to keep Cherki and will only engage in serious transfer talks if an offer reaches that €90 million threshold. Given how integral he appears to be to their attacking setup, that stance makes complete sense — though as we’ve seen time and again in football, every player has a price, and a queue this long tends to drive it even higher.
And the queue is very long indeed. Alongside Real Madrid, the same report identifies Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain as clubs monitoring the situation closely. That’s essentially a who’s-who of European football all circling the same target — which tells you everything about how highly Cherki is regarded right now.
Why Real Madrid Are Interested — And Why It’s Complicated
From a Madrid perspective, the interest makes total sense. Carlo Ancelotti’s (or whoever is in the dugout at the Bernabéu at this point) side have always been drawn to technically gifted, dynamic attackers who can operate between the lines and unlock deep defences. Cherki fits that profile to a tee — he’s quick, intelligent, two-footed, and has the kind of creative output that would complement the physicality and directness Madrid already possess in wide areas.
There’s also a broader context worth noting here. Real Madrid have historically timed their big-money moves carefully, often waiting for the right moment when a player’s contract situation or a club’s financial pressures create an opening. On that front, the report does flag that Manchester City’s ongoing battle with 115 financial charges in the Premier League is creating uncertainty behind the scenes at the club — though it would be premature to assume that translates directly into a willingness to sell key assets. If anything, City may feel even more pressure to hold onto their best performers to maintain their standing on the pitch while the legal drama rumbles on.
For Madrid supporters, the allure of Cherki is obvious. A French international of his calibre, still only 23 and clearly improving, would represent exactly the kind of long-term, high-ceiling investment that the club has built its identity around. Think of how Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and others arrived as raw talents and blossomed into superstars at the Bernabéu. Cherki, already producing at this level, could slot straight in as a difference-maker rather than a project.
What Happens Next?
With the transfer window months away, this story is very much in its early stages. The Fichajes report sets the scene — Real Madrid are interested, Manchester City don’t want to sell, and the asking price is steep — but plenty can change between now and January or next summer. Contract lengths, Champions League progress, and form will all play a role in shaping how this develops.
What’s clear is that Cherki is one of the hottest properties in European football right now, and Madrid are at the front of the pack trying to figure out a way in. Whether the Bernabéu faithful get to see him in white remains to be seen — but the fact that the club is being linked so prominently is an encouraging sign that the transfer department has their eyes on the right targets. Watch this space.
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