Real Madrid plotting 2023 move for Rayan Cherki

La Liga champions Real Madrid reportedly want to sign teenage French sensation Rayan Cherki in a Bosman move in 2023.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Rayan Cherki is the subject of interest from Real Madrid over a possible Bosman move in the 2023 summer transfer window. The French wonderkid has entered the final year of his contract with Lyon.

Rayan Cherki has set pulses racing in age-group football in recent years, with many rating him as the best academy product from the French outfit since Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema. The 18-year-old attacking sensation joined Les Gones from Saint-Priest in 2010 before making swift progress in the Ligue 1 club’s youth division.

Cherki broke into Lyon’s first-team squad three years ago, aged 16 and has made considerable progress since then. The French prodigy has nine goals and ten assists in 63 appearances for Lyon. But he faces an uncertain future at the Groupama Stadium after entering the final year of his contract, with his situation capturing the attention of Real Madrid.

The reigning La Liga champions are renowned for constantly attempting to bolster their youth and reserve teams before they become pivotal figures for the first team. Such an outlook has fetched Real Madrid stars like Vinicius Jr. and Federico Valverde, among others. With their formula working well, it is hardly surprising that they wish to continue investing in young talent.

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Cherki has thus emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid. And even though the teenage French sensation has not been a prolific customer in the final third for Lyon, he can transform his career under the guidance of an experienced head like Carlo Ancelotti.

With Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio facing uncertain futures at the Santiago Bernabeu, Cherki can be a long-term offensive solution for Real Madrid. And recent reports have claimed that the 18-year-old is open to joining Los Blancos when the opportunity presents itself.

Lyon will continue to attempt to tie him down to a new contract. But Real Madrid will likely open talks to reach a pre-contract agreement if Cherki remains on his current deal at the turn of the year, with a Bosman move in the 2023 summer transfer window on the cards.