Cherki talks about Real Madrid move... to Olympique Lyon TV
“My dream is to play for Real Madrid,” the young star openly told his current club's television channel, as big clubs circle for his signature.
Rayan Cherki, the 16-year-old Olympique Lyon player, has showed his clear self-confidence both when moving between the lines on the pitch and also when openly talking about his future desire to play for another club. And this was to his club's own television channel.
Cherki flirts with Real Madrid...again
It is not the first time that Cherki has made his interests known publicly. A couple of months ago he was given a choice over who he would opt for if both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid came calling. Los Blancos was his call.
"My dream is to play for Real Madrid," said Cherki again in an in-house interview, during a relaxed game of mini ping pong. The attacking midfielder's plan is to sign as soon as possible with the club of his dreams, then to continue on loan for two more years at Lyon until he reached an age when he can officially join Real Madrid, and take his development forwards.
And it’s a very viable project. in fact, French media has reported that Real Madrid has first refusal rights for the youngster. This means that if Lyon were to receive an offer for the player - and they will - then the Spanish giants would be allowed to match it to secure his signing. And when the teenager already has future eyes on winning the Ballon d’Or, it may be that he is a special talent in waiting.
Ligue 1 revelation
At such a tender age, Cherki has already played 24 professional matches for Lyon, scoring nine goals and providing three assists. He made his debut last season. But apart from these very decent figures, he has also dazzled fans in France with his quality, skill, and speed with the ball. His character has stood out too, coming across with experience well beyond his years.
With Zinedine Zidane in the dugout, France has become a field from which much harvest is reaped, not that it was ignored before. Benzema, Varane, Mendy and Areola form an important nucleus within the dressing room, and then there’s the Belgian influence of Hazard and Courtois. Could Cherki and Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga be added to the group.
With the coronavirus crisis having a hold of world football, other teams such as Manchester United, PSG, Barcelona and Juventus are also lurking for the signature of the Lyon kid. But Cherki has already made it abundantly clear to the world, and to his own club: "I want to play for Real Madrid."