- EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey
One of Europe’s top talents has been offered the chance to join Crystal Palace before the transfer deadline at 11pm on Friday.
As you may have already heard, an £18m deal for Maxence Lacroix has now been agreed between Crystal Palace and VfL Wolfsburg – with the Frenchman heading to London for a medical – while the Eagles are also expected to announce the £30m signing of Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal imminently.
Ahead of Friday’s 11pm deadline, another player could follow Eddie Nketiah and Maxence Lacroix to Selhurst Park…
Rayan Cherki has an offer from Crystal Palace
We Are Palace understand that Lyon No.18 Rayan Cherki has an offer from Crystal Palace on the table as we approach transfer deadline day.
The France U23 international, who played alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, has a decision to make as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
Sources have also informed We Are Palace that Cherki has been offered the chance to join Everton as well, with the 21-year-old currently considering his options.
Those options include the prospect of the Lyon-born forward signing a new contract with his boyhood club.
Recently, Fulham saw a £17m bid accepted by Lyon for Cherki – who was also targeted by PSG at the start of the summer – although the Frenchman turned down the Cottagers.
Perfect Michael Olise replacement
There have previously been question marks over Cherki’s attitude – with Laurent Blanc even discussing these issues in the media – but if the forward can apply himself in SE25, he could be an ideal replacement for Olise.
Interestingly, Football London have compared Cherki to Olise, with both attackers tending to conjure up something magical after cutting inside from the right onto their stronger left foot.
As you can see by the footage below, the Lyon academy graduate has the dribbling ability and vision to be a real handful on that flank, providing the perfect foil for Eberechi Eze on the other side.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Cherki could still join Crystal Palace before the transfer window shuts.
