Arsenal are yet to sign an attacking player in the transfer window with less than 10 days remaining, and some fans are concerned.
Many are worried that there is not enough cover for Bukayo Saka, and if both Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson leave, fans will want to see another forward arrive.
This could come in the form of a winger, who can both cover for and rotate with Saka, but given the England star’s status, this new signing does not necessarily have to be a starter, and a top young talent could fill the role well.
Arsenal will be keeping an eye on potential market opportunities, and one may have presented itself, as a winger is now available for potentially as low as £12m.
18 Rayan CHERKI (fra) during the Paris Olympic Games 2024 final match between France and Spain at Parc des Princes on August 9, 2024 in Paris, France.
Lyon winger Rayan Cherki could be available for Arsenal this summer
21-year-old French winger Rayan Cherki is one of the biggest talents Lyon have produced in a long time, and was regarded as one of the hottest prospects in European football.
Cherki did suffer a dip in form last season as he is set for a move away, with Lyon needing to sell and just one year left on his deal.
Get French Football News have now revealed that Paris Saint-Germain have exited the race for him, but it has also been reported by The Athletic that Fulham have tabled a £12m bid for Cherki.
Cherki has scored 17 goals, and provided 25 assists from a variety of attacking positions in 141 Lyon games, and at 21, he still has the potential to explode.
At £12m, he could be the perfect gamble for Arsenal this summer.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s high praise for Rayan Cherki
Cherki was part of Thierry Henry’s France squad which reached the final of the Olympics Football tournament, and speaking in March, Henry claimed that the Lyon star is one of the best dribblers he has ever seen.
“He should have been annoyed for the last three months, shouldn’t he?” Henry stated of Cherki’s form.
“He has woken up. That’s good. Not seeing his name on the list should have annoyed him. He needs to show consistency because there is a huge difference between sometimes showing character and showing character all the time.
“I’m not talking about his quality, because I have never seen a player in history who dribbles as quickly as him, with both feet. But he made a thunderous debut, very young and to not be starting matches today, that means what it means.
“We all like watching Cherki play, but he has to perform well. He loves football and he knows what he has to do to return to the foreground.”
Despite his difficult year, if Arteta can sign Cherki, he can place him in an attacking team and in an environment where he can thrive.
Cherki can play a rotational role where there will be little pressure on him to deliver immediately, but he would add serious quality in transition as a winger on either side, and given his low price and his high potential, this could be a masterstroke of a deal if Arsenal register their interest.
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