Chelsea look set to accelerate their transfer interest in Lyon star Rayan Cherki in the coming days with Mauricio Pochettino setting a two-part plan. The Blues had identified the Frenchman as an option to improve their creativity after selling Mason Mount and Kai Havertz to Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively.
Over the last week, significant progress has been made after Chelsea made contact with Cherki's representatives to discuss a transfer, as football.london understands. Negotiations are now also taking place specifically between Chelsea and Lyon, with Cherki open to a Stamford Bridge move.
The Blues have recently dealt with Lyon in the transfer market after they secured a £26.3million deal to sign Malo Gusto in January before loaning him straight back to the French club. The structure of that transfer suited both parties which could help Cherki make the same move this summer, however Lyon were not left pleased with how Chelsea handled Gusto's hamstring injury which saw him return to Cobham for his recovery.
Amid Chelsea's firm interest, Lyon boss Laurent Blanc has urged Cherki and team-mate Castello Lukeba to remain at the club for one more year . In an interview with French newspaper Le Progres, as quoted by RMC Sport , he said:
"OL must say, okay if these are figures at an impressive level, but on the other hand at this price (27 million), I tell him to stay one more year in Lyon. I'd really mind if he left. It's the same for Cherki. Especially since we made room for them. It would be a little early, but maybe I'm being a little selfish."
Nonetheless, Lyon are asking for €50million (£42.7million) to sell Cherki, though Chelsea feel a deal could be done for closer to €40million (£34.4million). With Chelsea's own valuation known, the Blues have set a clear timeline of what they hope to accomplish in their pursuit of Cherki over the coming days.
According to journalist Simon Phillips , sending off a contract offer for Cherki to agree personal terms is imminent and once that is sorted, Chelsea will then follow that up by lodging an official bid. Elsewhere, talks are also ongoing for Moises Caicedo as the Blues attempt to sign the midfielder from Brighton.
An £80million package is being lined up by Chelsea, but the Seagulls are seeking for a fee in the region of £100million. However, negotiations are said to be moving with the 21- year-old committed to joining the project at Stamford Bridge.