Only a few clubs in Europe have the most successful youth academies as Ligue 1 giants Lyon. The French outfit have produced some of the best world-class talents who have gone on to become household names at top clubs such as Karim Benzema, Alexandre Lacazette, Corentin Tolisso and Samuel Umtiti, to name a few. Despite Lyon reaching the utmost lows in terms of their performances and financial crisis in recent years, the talent factory hasn’t stopped from churning out highly-coveted prospects like Houssem Aouar, Maxence Caqueret and Bradley Barcola, with the latter considered one of the best young talents in the world at the moment due to his stellar form at Paris Saint-Germain, whom he joined last year in a £45 million deal.
The next in line could be Rayan Cherki, who has been subject to intense transfer speculation of late. Surprisingly, Cherki made his mark with OL long ago, making his senior team debut in 2019 at the age of 16. Regarded as the best-ever prospect of Lyon’s youth set-up, Cherki has already made more than 100 appearances with the first team. While Les Gones have experienced troubled times like never before in recent seasons, Cherki’s precocious talent has remained intact, bringing joy to the fans with his flamboyance. Not far from a finished product, it looks as though the time has finally come for the 21-year-old to move to a big club due to Lyon’s latest sanction. The former league champions have been handed provisional relegation should their financial situation fail to improve, forcing them to sell some of their prized assets.
Rayan Cherki’s Biography
| Full Name | Mathis Rayan Cherki |
| Date of Birth | 17 August, 2003 |
| Age | 21 |
| Nationality | French |
| Birth Place | Lyon, France |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Current Team(s) | Lyon, France U-21 |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder, Winger |
| Debut | 19 October, 2019 |
| Yearly Salary | £2.96m |
| Contract Expiry | June 30, 2026 |
| Agent | Moussa Sissoko |
Rayan Cherki’s Net Worth and Salary
Rayan Cherki earns a salary of £2.96 million per year at Lyon while his annual net worth stands at £5.6 million.
| Salary | Year |
| £3,120 | 2020 |
| £452,400 | 2021 |
| £728,000 | 2022 |
| £1,456,000 | 2023 |
| £2,964,000 | 2024 |
Rayan Cherki’s Family
Rayan Cherki was born in 2023 to his father Fabrice Cherki and his mother Alba. Fabrice was a former amateur footballer, who played for clubs like FC Vaulx-en-Velin and the AS Buers-Villeurbanne. Rayan is married to Paris Emma Abbes.
Rayan Cherki’s Club Career
A hometown boy, Cherki started playing for Lyon’s reserves team at the age of 15 due to his premature talent. He swiftly climbed the ladders and made his breakthrough with the first team at 16 in 2019 while signing his first-ever professional contract. His league debut came against Dijon while making his first-ever appearance in the Champions League against FC Zenit in November 2019. He established himself as a regular for Lyon in the 2020/21 season, netting 4 goals and 4 assists in 31 appearances, while showcasing his raw talent.
Cherki’s progress was hindered due to a metatarsal fracture in the 21/22 season but he recaptured his essence in the following season. Although Lyon experienced a notable decline, which saw them lose their status as a European regular, Cherki continued his upward trend. As an attacking midfielder with the adaptability to play on the wings, the French prodigy constantly looked to conjure things up with his playmaking and dribbling skills. Managing 9 assists last season – while enjoying a great Coupe de France campaign, where Lyon lost only in the finals against PSG, Cherki has been off to an impressive start this term, racking up 2 goals and 3 assists.
| Clubs | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Lyon | 152 | 19 | 28 |
Rayan Cherki’s International Career
Rayan Cherki has represented France in various age groups but he is yet to make his mark with the senior team, though the days are not away from his maiden call-up given his higher ceiling. He is also eligible to play for Italy or Algeria due to his parent’s roots. Cherki has netted 11 goals in 20 games for France’s U-21 side while being part of the 2024 Olympics football team that won the silver medal.
Rayan Cherki’s Playing Style
Rayan Cherki is a traditional No.10 whilst being adept at both flanks. A high-volume dribbler and passer, the 21-year-old thrives in tight spaces and can east past many defenders. Currently, he is in the top tier of playmakers in the top-five leagues in Europe, given his elite dribbling, progressive passing and through-ball numbers. A menace to the opponents, Cherki has everything in his arsenal to pull the strings. Moreover, the French prodigy’s numbers are daunting for such a young age and it is safe to say that he has the potential to be a superstar in future.
Rayan Cherki’s Future
Rumours have been circulating that Cherki could be one of the players to lead the exodus at Lyon due to their dire financial straits. With his contract expiring in the summer of 2026, Les Gones are looking to sell him as early as January in an attempt to escape potential sanctions. Club President John Textor has also hinted about the potential exit of Cherki in the upcoming winter transfer window, having expressed the regret not to cash in on him last summer. Recent reports are linking Liverpool as a potential suitor, having said to have identified Cherki as a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah, whose future at Anfield is up in the air.
Cherki could also be looking for pastures green as he looks ready to take the next big stride in his career.
FAQs
How old is Rayan Cherki?
Rayan Cherki is 21 years old
When does Rayan Cherki’s contract expire?
Rayan Cherki’s contract at Lyon expires in June 30, 2026.
What is Rayan Cherki’s playing position?
Rayan Cherku is an attacking midfielder and also can play as a winger
What is Rayan Cherki’s net worth?
Rayan Cherki’s net worth is £5.6 million
What is Rayan Cherki’s salary?
Rayan Cherki’s yearly salary is £2.6 million