Manchester United and Real Madrid have both tried and failed to sign Lyon's teenage wonderkid Rayan Cherki, according to the French club’s president.
Cherki, 16, is considered a generational talent, having come through the Lyon academy and is now being linked with a move to one of Europe's biggest clubs. He's only played six Ligue 1 games for Lyon's senior side, but has scored three goals in the French Cup after starring for the academy sides in recent years.
And Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulas has told French media outlet Telefoot that Cherki has very much been on United's transfer radar.
“He’s undoubtedly a player who will go to the highest level," he said. "That’s why we did everything we could to sign him.
“The two clubs that were interested when we won his faith were Real Madrid and Manchester United.
“We want him to succeed with Lyon. We want to support him and that’s why we’re trying to move his career on. In years to come, we want him to become not only a leader for our attack, but a leader from the academy.”
Cherki turns 17 in August. He's an attacking midfielder who can play through the middle as well as in wide positions and has been tipped for a big future.
United have made a habit of signing talented youngsters from Europe in recent years, with former Monaco playmaker Hannibal Mejbri one of the most exciting stars of the Old Trafford academy, having signed a year ago. United also have Dillon Hoogewerf, who they signed from Ajax's youth system in 2019.
