Liverpool Consider Move for Lyon Star Amid Release Clause Opportunity | OneFootball

Liverpool in the Race for Rayan Cherki: Calculated Gamble or Future Star?

Rising Talent Drawing Elite Attention

Liverpool are preparing for a critical summer of squad evolution, and Olympique Lyonnais’ Rayan Cherki is back on the radar. As reported by The Daily Mail Confidential, Liverpool are one of several top clubs keeping close tabs on the 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who could be available for as little as £25 million due to a unique clause with his club.

Writing in the Daily Mail Confidential, journalist Nathan Salt notes: “With a verbal agreement on a release clause for around £25million, all of Europe’s elite, including Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, are now circling a player that they hope has finally flicked a switch on his maturity to make him worth the gamble.”

This renewed interest follows months of whispers. Fabrizio Romano had confirmed Liverpool’s attention last winter, though no move materialised in January. Now, with Lyon battling financial uncertainty and potential relegation, the French club may be forced into a sale.

Photo: IMAGO

Performance and Profile That Fits Liverpool

Cherki’s numbers this season make for impressive reading: 12 goals and 18 assists in 39 appearances in all competitions. But it’s not just the output — it’s the profile that matters.

Cherki is technically gifted, tactically flexible, and fits the multi-functional attacking roles that Arne Slot looks to deploy in his front four. Able to play off either flank, as a No.10, or in deeper link-up play, he embodies the kind of fluidity that FSG have traditionally valued.

More importantly, his age (21), contract status (ending 2026), and relatively low release clause make this a textbook Michael Edwards-style deal. There’s little risk and potentially huge reward.

Financial Backdrop Driving Lyon’s Decisions

Lyon’s situation adds urgency. Facing debts totalling €500 million, the French giants are under pressure to offload assets. The clause, reportedly fixed at £19–25 million depending on variables, has made Cherki an attainable target for Europe’s elite — not just a dream for Liverpool.

This is no longer a speculative link. It’s a case of timing, opportunity, and strategy.

Photo: IMAGO

Maturity the Last Question Mark

As Salt observes, the issue may not be talent, but temperament. Cherki has been criticised in the past for inconsistency and attitude. But insiders suggest that corner is being turned: “…they hope [he] has finally flicked a switch on his maturity…”

If that holds true, then this is more than just a clever deal — it’s a potentially transformative one.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, the potential move for Rayan Cherki feels both shrewd and exciting. He ticks every box — technically gifted, young, versatile, and available at a fraction of the price usually paid for a player with his output.

With Arne Slot now shaping his squad, signing a player like Cherki could offer something different — a flair player who thrives in tight spaces and could inject unpredictability into the final third. Given our current squad dynamics and the ageing of key attackers, he offers a long-term project with immediate value.

Some fans may rightly question whether he has the mentality to step into Liverpool’s demanding environment. But if Edwards and the recruitment team are satisfied that the switch has indeed been flipped, then it becomes a low-cost, high-ceiling punt — much like the one they made on Mohamed Salah or Diogo Jota.

If Liverpool can beat off competition from Manchester United and Bayern Munich, this could be the summer’s most quietly significant move.