Following their Premier League title triumph, Liverpool are reportedly considering moves for both Lyon’s Rayan Cherki and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz during the summer transfer window.
The Merseyside club are expected to have approximately £150 million available for transfers after securing the league title. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, suggested that Lyon’s current financial difficulties could create an opportunity for Liverpool to pursue Cherki.
Cherki, 21, has a £20 million release clause with one year remaining on his Lyon contract. The French club’s reported financial troubles in Ligue 1 may necessitate player sales, potentially making negotiations more straightforward for interested parties.
Manchester City are currently considered the frontrunners for Cherki’s signature. However, reports indicate that Liverpool manager Arne Slot has met with the player personally in recent weeks, suggesting genuine interest from the Anfield club.
Liverpool have already submitted a £110 million bid for Wirtz, who emerged as one of Europe’s most promising young talents during last season’s continental competitions. The German playmaker’s valuation represents a significant investment compared to Cherki’s more modest release clause.
Both players primarily operate as attacking midfielders, though Cherki has demonstrated versatility across multiple positions. This positional overlap raises questions about whether Liverpool would pursue both simultaneously, particularly given their reported interest in reinforcing other areas, including left-back, left wing, and striker positions.
The club has already made one significant addition, triggering Jeremie Frimpong’s £29.5 million release clause to bring the defender to Merseyside.
Robinson noted the contrasting financial implications of the two potential deals: “Liverpool could be in a position—if other players move on—you look at Cherki at 21 years old; this could be a significant investment. Lyon’s financial situation may make this a less costly deal.”
The pundit emphasized Cherki’s age and contract situation as favorable factors while acknowledging Wirtz’s established reputation and higher price point.
With Luis Diaz among several players linked with potential departures, Liverpool may have squad space for new attacking additions. However, the club must balance its transfer priorities across multiple positions while working within its available budget.
Both Cherki and Wirtz represent long-term investments given their ages. However, their similar playing styles and preferred positions could influence Liverpool’s final decision on whether to pursue either target this summer.
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