Rayan Cherki’s electric start to the 2026-27 campaign has placed the Manchester City playmaker on the radar of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich ahead of the January transfer window.
Sources close to the agents’ market have told CaughtOffside that the three European heavyweights are monitoring the France international, whose early-season form has rapidly increased his profile.
Cherki produced two assists after coming off the bench in City’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth on 23 August, before scoring twice in the 4-1 victory away to Crystal Palace five days later. The Premier League confirmed that Enzo Maresca’s side secured a second successive win at Selhurst Park, with Cherki striking twice. ([premierleague.com](https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4698714/haaland-and-cherki-both-score-twice-in-man-city-win-at-crystal-palace?utm_source=openai))
European interest grows in Manchester City playmaker
Real Madrid are understood to view Cherki as a potential creative option between midfield and attack. PSG, meanwhile, are attracted by the prospect of bringing one of France’s leading young talents back to Ligue 1.
Bayern Munich are also assessing the 23-year-old as part of their longer-term search for additional attacking creativity. No formal offer has been made by any of the interested clubs.
Cherki is believed to be valued at about €90 million, although City are under no immediate pressure to consider a sale.
Manchester City completed the midfielder’s move from Lyon in June 2025, handing him a five-year contract that runs until the summer of 2030. The club’s official announcement described him as an attacking midfielder capable of operating from wide areas, while also highlighting his record of 185 appearances for Lyon before the transfer. ([mancity.com](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/rayan-cherki-announcement-63885169?utm_source=openai))
That lengthy agreement leaves City in a strong negotiating position, particularly after Cherki’s impressive opening two league matches under Maresca. His capacity to play centrally or out wide has also made him an increasingly valuable part of the manager’s attacking plans.
City would therefore have little reason to entertain January approaches unless one of the clubs involved made an exceptional offer. Cherki could also alter the situation if he were to seek assurances over regular starts, but there is currently no indication that either circumstance has arisen.
For now, the interest from Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich appears less likely to signal an imminent transfer than to underline how sharply Cherki’s standing has risen since the beginning of the season.
