Liverpool may land a £25m steal as Lyon faces the risk of relegation to Ligue 2.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki could become more feasible due to Lyon’s financial difficulties.

Cherki, 21, has long been regarded as a future star, having broken into Lyon’s first team at just 16 and making his Champions League debut the same year. Despite injuries that disrupted his early progress, he remains a promising talent with significant experience. Cherki has featured at nearly every level of youth international football, including the Olympic team, and has already made over 150 appearances for Lyon.

Lyon’s financial struggles have led to a transfer ban for the January window and the threat of provisional relegation from Ligue 1 due to financial mismanagement, as ruled by the National Directorate of Management Control. However, club owner John Textor has dismissed the possibility of relegation, asserting, “We will not be relegated, there is no chance,” as reported by L’Équipe. Textor also criticized the French system, expressing a preference for the Premier League’s approach to club sanctions.