'I love this' - Rayan Cherki first words after £31m Man City move
Manchester City have announced the third signing of the first transfer window of the summer with Lyon's Rayan Cherki arriving
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of France playmaker Rayan Cherki to become their third new signing of the summer transfer window.
After weeks of negotiations with Lyon, the Blues have agreed a deal for the 21-year-old to join Pep Guardiola's rebuild at the Etihad for an initial £31m (€36.5m).
Cherki joins on a five-year deal and is part of a £109m spend in the first transfer window of the summer that gets City to where they want to be before the Club World Cup. Four new signings will head off to the United States with the bulk of the club's work on incomings for the summer done, following a spend of £175m in January that saw another four signings arrive.
Having pulled out of the race to sign Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz to succeed the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne, City have moved on swiftly and effectively and will now hope that their business stays as popular with fans as it has initially been.
Having completed a move a week after making his international debut with a lively cameo against Spain in the UEFA Nations League, Cherki is looking to make an impression at his new club.
“This is a dream for me. Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special," he said.
“I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff.
“Everyone knows how good City are – they have been so successful for many years now. 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.”
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Director of Football Hugo Viana added: “We’re very happy to have Rayan at City. We want to bring top talent to the club, and he falls into that category.
“He’s a player our scouts have watched for a long time, and we have all been impressed with his skill and creativity. I am convinced our fans will be excited to see him play.
“There’s no doubt that he’s now in the best place possible to develop further under Pep’s guidance and I really believe he can become a world-class player with our support and direction.”
In addition to deals for Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli, City have also completed the £46.3m transfer of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. That is expected to be announced on Wednesday morning, with the player involved with his national team on Tuesday evening.
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