Tottenham make fresh contact with playmaker playing in France

Being the only natural creative midfielder in the squad, James Maddison has faced a lot of pressure this season. Therefore, it would be wise from the club bosses to target a new creative player who can reduce the burden off Maddison’s shoulders as well as compete with him in the starting XI.

It has been reported in recent months that Tottenham are among several clubs across Europe interested in signing Lyon star Rayan Cherki. The 21-year-old has had a superb season, scoring 12 goals and contributing 18 assists in total, and he caught the eye of Tottenham scouts in Lyon’s Europa League games.

Now, according to an exclusive report from GIVEMESPORT, Tottenham have made fresh contact with the representatives of Rayan Cherki this month to gauge what it would take to get a deal over the line. They are now considered as the leading contenders for the enigmatic France youth international’s signature, although the player has identified newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool as his preferred destination if he departs his boyhood club.

Cherki is on course to enter the final years of his contract (Transfermarkt), putting several clubs across Europe on red alert over the possibility of him being cashed in this summer. Lyon are facing financial difficulties and will sell the versatile midfielder rather than risk losing him on a free transfer in 2026. This has given Spurs an opportunity to pounce on the player.

However, given their struggles in the Premier League this season and current position on the table, the aforementioned report adds that the Hotspur Way chiefs will need to convince Cherki of their project and future plans. Also, the player’s agent is preparing to hold talks with clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa in the coming weeks to understand whether they would be interested in signing his client.

Signing Cherki would be a brilliant move by Tottenham. The France under-21 international is versatile and he could be utilised on either flanks, or as a No.10. The Lyon ace has great ball-striking ability, tends to create chances for his teammates and score goals.

At this point, Tottenham will need to at least win the Europa League to have realistic hopes of landing Cherki in the summer, considering the European bigwigs in the mix for his signature.