According to a report from Foot Mercato, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are both leading in the race to sign Olympique Lyonnais’ Rayan Cherki (21).

The France youth international was ostracised at the start of the season amid a contract standoff. His contract had been set to expire at the end of the season, however, ultimately, he extended by a further year, allowing his re-integration. He has since gone on to net five goals and register seven assists in 17 matches. Since breaking through as a teenager, this is his first consistent patch of form.

However, the Frenchman may leave the club in January. Whilst OL are reportedly keen to retain Cherki, they may have little choice in the matter. Lyon are being forced to raise funds this January following a provisional relegation to Ligue 2. Selling assets, such as Cherki, will prevent that fate, even if other, more peripheral figures have been touted for departures.

Whilst Cherki is reportedly keen to see out the season with his formative club, the matter will be taken out of his hands should a club meet OL’s €30m price tag. As per Foot Mercato, Liverpool and PSG are most keen to recruit the attacker in January although Get French Football News understands that Les Parisiens will not return for Cherki, having been snubbed by the player in the summer.

Ruben Amorim is expected to make a left back’s signing his top priority at Manchester United in 2025. Though Tyrell Malacia has been fit for a few weeks, the Portuguese has opted in favour of Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui in the position, whereas the less said about Luke Shaw’s fitness for the last year or two, the better.

According to Spanish outlet MARCA, the Red Devils are pondering over a transfer for Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson. The 27-year-old has earned a name for himself under Marco Silva this season and after some brilliant performances for the Cottagers, he has been linked with the Premier League’s bigger sides, including Chelsea and Liverpool.

If the interested parties materialise their interest in Robinson, Fulham would understandably find it hard to hold onto him for much longer though he will not be available on the cheap either. The American international’s contract at Craven Cottage runs until June 2028 and he would command a decent amount, possibly more so than his valuation of £23 million on Transfermarkt.

United will hold upper hand
Manchester United are likely to hold the upper hand when it comes to beating Chelsea and Liverpool for Antonee Robinson’s potential purchase from Fulham next year.

Chelsea have Marc Cucurella who has been playing very well this season apart from the odd error or two. The Spaniard has been solid defensively and that seems like a characteristic that Enzo Maresca will value more than the offensive game given that the Blues like to defend deep and compactly.

On the other hand, Liverpool have Andy Robertson and though he is past 30, the Scotsman has a few more years under his belt. It seems unforeseen for Arne Slot to do away with him in the near future, so Robinson’s playing time at Anfield would be restricted. Plus, a left-back is unlikely to be a priority for the Reds.

Man United, meanwhile, will be willing to pay a reasonable fee to bring Robinson in and can guarantee him a starting role. As a wing back, his attacking gameplay would be an asset for the Red Devils and Amorim would also get his hands on a player that has a few years’ experience in the Premier League.

A transfer for Robinson in January is unlikely, however, with Fulham pursuing a top-half finish in the Premier League. If he does continue performing for the second half of the campaign though, he will have plenty of suitors in the summer.

The police have raided at least two offices of Napoli after corruption investigations into the transfer of Victor Osimhen from Lille were launched in both Italy and France.

This followed startling revelations by the former Lille President Olivier Letang that the French club only received Seven Million Euros from the reported 70 Million Euros Napoli splashed on the striker four years ago.

The deal included the transfer of four young players from Napoli for 20 Million Euros as well as agency fees and commissions.

“Since there were four players who came for 20 million euros, the net income from the sale of Osimhen was not 68 million euros,” Letang said.

“In other words, its value was zero. Including factors such as brokerage fees and commissions, the club’s coffers received 7 million euros in the Osimhen transfer.”

Letang made these revelations to the leading French sports newspaper L’Equipe. This will not be the first time that questions have been asked about this transfer with the French Government also wading in.