
Man City splash £107m in 10-day Club World Cup transfer window after completing £35m deal for in-demand Rayan Cherki
RAYAN CHERKI believes his "dream" move to Manchester City gives him the perfect platform to shine.
The 21-year-old France international becomes Pep Guardiola's third capture of the summer after moving from Lyon.
4
4
City will pay around £30million up front for the midfielder with a further £5m in add-ons if he proves to be a success.
He follows full-back Rayan Ait Nouri - who moved from Wolves to the Etihad for £31m - on Monday and reserve keeper Marcus Bettinelli.
Meanwhile, Tijjani Reijnders' £46m switch from Milan will be formally announced on Wednesday morning.
The deal was all agreed ahead of Tuesday night's transfer deadline but he was on international duty with the Netherlands.
That will take Pep's spending to around £107m in the first part of the summer transfer window.
Cherki will be part of the Club World Cup squad and said: '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.
'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.'
City's director of football Hugo Viana said: 'There's no doubt that he's now in the best place possible to develop further under Pep's guidance .
'I really believe he can become a world-class player with our support and direction.'
It was a busy day at the Etihad Campus on Tuesday as City prepare to fly to Miami on Thursday to begin their preparations for the Club World Cup.
As well as Cherki, their new third-choice keeper Bettinelli arrived – joining from Chelsea for a nominal fee.
The 33-year-old will replace Scott Carson, who has left the club after six years.
Meanwhile, City confirmed that Pep Lijnders and James French – who both worked under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool – will join Guardiola's coaching staff.
Lijnders will work as an assistant to the boss following the departure of Juanma Lillo at the end of last season.
Kolo Toure – who won the title with City back in 2012 – will step up from his role with the youth team to assist the senior team in America this month.
Guardiola is due to name his squad to travel to the US once all the players have reported back from international duty.
4
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
Reid 30 years on: 'I had to find £700 from somewhere'
Former Sunderland manager Peter Reid - who twice won the Black Cats promotion into the Premier League - has been looking back on taking charge of the club 30 years ex-Everton and Manchester City player took the reigns in March 1995 with Sunderland battling relegation in the second tier, but with seven games of the season remaining, Reid oversaw just the one loss and managed to keep them to BBC Radio Newcastle in a special episode, Reid recalled: "They were great games, the Sheffield United one was a very important one and I always thank Craig [Russell] for coming on as a sub and getting the winner," Reid said."To be fair, the crowd played their part and obviously the players, the players were magnificent. I think we went to Derby and beat them as well which was a fantastic result."After the Sheffield United game, I remember going to the chairman and saying 'listen I need to get something for the players so give me £500 to take them out' and the bill came to about £1200 so I had to find £700 from somewhere."So I was fining the lads for mis-passing the ball in training and everything and once I got the £700 I told them 'it's over now lads' and I told them the story and they took it all in the spirit that it was meant."


BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
Dundee ready to deal in Digby
Dundee have agreed a deal to sign former Cambridge United midfielder Paul Digby, 30, as a free agent. (The Courier, external - subscription required)But Antonio Portales and Mo Sylla are set to leave Dundee, who remain confident of keeping Josh Mulligan. (The Courier, external - subscription required)Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.


BBC News
24 minutes ago
- BBC News
Chase for Igamane heats up
Rangers forward Hamza Igamane, 22, is being tracked by French quartet Lens, Lille, Rennes and Strasbourg, along with clubs in England. (Foot Mercato, external - in French)Brentford, Everton and West Ham are keen on Rangers forward Hamza Igamane. (Football Insider), externalBoss of Latvian side RFS Gregory Vignal dreams of returning to Rangers as manager one day and thinks his current side would finish in the top three of the Scottish Premiership. (Daily Record), externalAnd Vignal says former Chelsea and Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was interested in the Rangers vacancy before Russell Martin was appointed head coach at Ibrox. (Glasgow Times), externalRead the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.