Izuchukwu OkosiManchester City on Tuesday evening wrapped up the acquisition of Algerian-born France international Rayan Cherki from French top side Lyon for £34m until 2030.
The five-year deal means that the creative midfielder is registered for the FIFA Club World Cup that begins this weekend in the USA.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelCity will play their first game of the tournament against Moroccan giants Wydad in Philadelphia on June 18 and Cherki is expected to play some part in the game.
Cherki impressed in his international debut for his adopted nation against Spain in which he scored a spectacular goal in a 5-4 defeat against the former UEFA Nations League champions.
The player attracted interests last season due to the financial setbacks of Lyon but eventually stayed back.
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Cherki chose the Cityzens over interested clubs in England and Germany.
Cherki revealed that positive talks held with Pep Guardiola convinced him to choose the deposed English champions.
“Everyone knows how good City are — they have been so successful for many years now,” Cherki added. “The responsibility to help the team continue winning is something I want to embrace.
“I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future. I can’t wait to show City fans what I can do.”
Cherki, who scored 29 goals in 185 appearances with Lyon, is not expected to be the last arrival at City ahead of the Club World Cup.
Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is also set to join the club. A fee of €55 million has been agreed, and he has been given permission to leave the Netherlands camp to undergo a medical and sign his contract.
City are also poised to sign Dutch international Tijjani Reijnders who is expected to have his medicals at the club in the coming days.
The Cityzens finished third in the recently concluded season behind Liverpool and Arsenal.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
