Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

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Rayan Cherki is only the latest talent fresh off the Lyon production line, but he may be the best yet.

He ed Lyon at the age of seven from AS Saint-Priest and, aged 16 years and 140 days, became their youngest goalscorer in January 2020.

Before that, in November 2019, a Champions League debut came against Zenit, while he also helped reach the quarter-finals of the European Under-21 Championships in 2023.

Cherki has just enjoyed a breakout campaign in Ligue 1, providing 11 assists, 22 big chances - the most in the league - 13 through-balls and 48 successful dribbles.

A return of 12 goals is by far the best of his short career, but it is his work and understanding of the game off the ball that has arguably improved the most this term.

French football expert Julien Laurens, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast, said: "He has been incredible this season. Since he was 16 - even before that - the talent is there, left foot or right foot.

"A player at this level who takes corners with each foot depending on which side of the corner it is, to be an inswinger every time is just incredible.

"He is one of the greatest technicians in Europe right now."

Of the 44 shots he took with his feet in Ligue 1 last season, 22 came with the left and 22 with the right.

Cherki's growing reputation was only enhanced by Thursday's stunning international debut on Thursday against Spain, when he sparked 's comeback from 5-1 down.

And Laurens certainly isn't Cherki's only irer.

legend Thierry Henry has previously said he has "never seen a player in history who dribbles as quickly as him", while Lyon's captain Alexandre Lacazette described him as "special".

Cherki, also part of the squad that finished runners-up at the 2024 Olympics, scored in both legs for Lyon against Manchester United in a Europa League quarter-final defeat in 2024-25.

Speaking to BBC Sport in April about him, Lyon's former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles said: "He is the best natural talent I've ever seen. An absolute master, a wizard with the ball.

"He is taking chances, assists and dragging us up the pitch by taking people on and nutmegging them - he is a genius."

Manchester City have signed the g of midfielder Rayan Cherki from Lyon for an initial 36m euros (£30.5m) - and we want your thoughts on the deal.

The 21-year-old arrives on a five-year contract before the 19:00 BST transfer deadline, so Cherki will be eligible to play in the Club World Cup that beings on Monday.

The international made 44 appearances for Lyon in 2024-25, scoring 12 goals and providing 20 assists.

What do you think of the deal? And what impact will he have at City? Let us know

Manchester City have confirmed the g of goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea for a small undisclosed fee.

Bettinelli s on a one-year deal and is expected to replace Scott Carson as Pep Guardiola's third-choice behind Ederson and Stefan Ortega.

The club also confirmed he will travel to the US for the Club World Cup.

The 33-year-old made just one appearance in four years at Stamford Bridge, in an an FA Cup third-round win in January 2022.

"It's an honour to sign for City," Bettinelli said. "I have ired from afar what this club has achieved since Pep Guardiola arrived and now, I am excited to be a part of building on that success.

"Hopefully I can contribute in training, the dressing room and on the pitch as we look to win more silverware over the next year."

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Wolves fan George Larkin from Wolves TV believes new Manchester City g Rayan Ait-Nouri will "take the step up" in Pep Guardiola's team.

In his five seasons with the Old Gold, the 24-year-old scored nine goals and ed 19 assists from left-back - including four goals and seven assists last season.

"Ait-Nouri has given us a lot of good moments over the years," George told BBC Radio Manchester's Total Sport. "He's got stronger and stronger every season and the biggest part of his game to suit City is going forward.

"In of stats last season, he provided the most goal contributions of any defender in the Premier League. City defenders spend more time in the opposition final third than defending their own box so he fits that perfectly.

"He goes with best wishes from Wolves fans. It is a good move for him. I think he will take that step up.

"I think he's a top-class player, I would go as far as to say a world-class player. City have got an absolute steal for £31m."

Asked to find a weakness in Ait-Nouri's game, Larkin added: "The argument would be his weakness is the defensive side, but is that going to be a problem at City? Arguably not.

"He's got the likes of [Josko] Gvardiol backing him up and he'll be given license to maraud forward. On the ball, technically, he's second to none honestly.

"Stepping into midfield, picking that little , jinking past players, picking the lock against teams that want to sit deep... he's going to be a great player to advance into that space.

"He will vacate that space behind him but I don't see it being a problem at City."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

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Manchester City have released a special edition kit for this summer's Club World Cup tournament.

The club say, external the shirt puts a "fresh spin on a fan favourite", featuring an unusual white base with hand-painted graphics "inspired by the club's beloved Poznan celebration" and a black-and-red diagonal sash.

A special neon orange goalkeeper kit has also been released, which also features an all-over Poznan graphic and a black and yellow sash.

The team will debut the kit on Monday, 23 June against Dubai side Al Ain in Atlanta, Georgia.

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We asked for your views on whether Manchester City need to act urgently in the transfer market, with the first window closing at 19:00 BST on Tuesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Derek: I'm sure we might do a bit more on the incoming side of things, but I think it will be after the Club World Cup. If either Ederson or Stefan Ortega were to go beforehand, that might force the club's hand a bit more quickly.

Sean: An interesting 12 hours ahead. It would be great to get the players in before the Club World Cup starts and get them used to Pep Guardiola's system. We need to do our business early in the transfer market and not leave it until the end of August to get them in. We also need to offload the players that aren't in Pep Guardiola's plans for the season.

Gerard: We want the three players' deals to be completed before 10 June ends. There is too much delay from the recruitment team at the moment.

Cameron: I think City should keep their younger players, get rid of those that are not needed and not buy any midfielders this season. We definitely need a new goalkeeper.

Today is the first of two transfer deadline days this summer as the window shuts for seven days before reopening on 16 June.

In a change to the summer transfer window norm, it opened early to allow clubs involved in the Fifa Club World Cup 10 days to sign players for inclusion in the competition.

Whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

And keep up to date with all the latest news, views and transfers for your club

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Pep Guardiola has been awarded an honorary degree by The University of Manchester, in recognition of his contribution to the city on and off the pitch over the past nine years.

He was presented with the award by the University's chancellor, Nazir Afzal, in a ceremony at Whitworth Hall.

The award honours not only his sporting success but also his inspirational work away from football, including through his family foundation, the Guardiola Sala Foundation.

After arriving in 2016, Guardiola has led the club through the greatest period in their history, including a run of four straight Premier League league titles and a remarkable Treble in 2023.

"Manchester means so much to me. I have spent nine years here and it has become home. The people, the culture, my incredible football club, my colleagues… it is all so special to me and my family," Guardiola said.

"The way this city embraced me made everything easy. My time here has been beautiful.

"I know how important the University of Manchester is to our city. It's the home to a lot of research and it has a history of discovery. So, honestly, to be honoured in this way by such an esteemed institution is an amazing feeling."

Professor Duncan Ivison, president and vice-chancellor of the university said: "Pep is an innovator and a winner who has inspired millions of people through his success as a manager. He has played a huge role in making Manchester a global success story."

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We asked for your views on Manchester City g £31m Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves on a five-year contract.

The Algeria international says he is "incredibly happy and honoured" to Pep Guardiola's side, and plenty of you are echoing his sentiments.

Here are some of your comments:

Brian: This is another positive development at Man City. Ait-Nouri is a left-back with speed, agility and a determination to win. City have been aggressive in the transfer market already and this sends a message to the other teams that City mean business in the forthcoming 2025-26 season. We are bringing quality to the rebuild.

Greg: An excellent g. We have lacked a specialist left-back and it will free up Josko Gvardiol.

Anthony: With Ait-Nouri coming in at left-back, you would now assume that Gvardiol will be moved across to partner Ruben Dias. I can't see all of John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake staying.

Nick: City under Pep famously and successfully adapt players to play in different roles, however Ait-Nouri is a dream g. With the left taken care of, Pep can now experiment elsewhere.

Manchester City winger Jack Grealish is being lined up as a potential replacement for 22-year-old midfielder Florian Wirtz, if he leaves Bayer Leverkusen. (Sun), external

City have agreed a £34m deal with Lyon for 21-year-old midfielder Rayan Cherki. (Times - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Shamoon Hafez and Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporters

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Manchester City are in talks to sign English goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea.

The 33-year-old has been third choice at Stamford Bridge for the past four seasons and City will aim to complete a deal before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

Earlier on Monday, City announced veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson will leave the club when his contract expires this summer.

Pep Guardiola also completed the g of Algerian full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves for £31m on Monday.

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Rayan Ait-Nouri says ing Manchester City is a "dream come true" after his arrival from Wolves for £31m on a five-year deal was confirmed.

The Algeria international ed Wolves on loan in 2020 and permanently in in 2021 for £14.9m from French club Angers. He made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Old Gold last season.

"I am incredibly happy and honoured to have ed Manchester City," said the 24-year-old.

"City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to play for the club is a dream come true. I am also excited about working with and learning from Pep and his coaching team and getting to train and play alongside such a world class group of players.

"ing City is also a very proud moment for my family too. Now I can't wait to get started and to play in front of our ers."

Director of Football Hugo Viana added: "Rayan is a player that as a club we have been following closely for quite some time and we are delighted he has ed us.

"He already has extensive Premier League experience and has also demonstrated his quality at international level with Algeria.

"We feel sure that he will be an excellent addition to our squad and that working alongside Pep and his coaching staff will help develop his game even further. And at just 24 he is someone we feel sure will help us in our objective to bring more success to the club."

City fans, what do you make of the g?

Let us know here.

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Former Arsenal forward and Premier League legend Thierry Henry believes Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki can reach the same level as Mesut Ozil.

Cherki is heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, and caught the eye against Spain on his debut for in the semi-final of the Uefa Nations League last week.

German World Cup winner Ozil was widely praised for his first touch and weight of during his time in north London and Henry reckons Cherki's potential is sky high.

"This season, he has managed to raise his level," Henry said. "I would put [Mesut] Ozil in a different category, but with time, Rayan can get close to him."

The 21-year-old is about to enter the final year of his contract, but City only have until 19:00 BST to secure a deal if they want him to feature in the Club World Cup.

Cherki has just enjoyed a breakout campaign in Ligue 1, with a return of 12 goals in all competitions the best of his short career.

Beyond that, his work and understanding of the game off the ball has arguably improved the most this term, with him providing 11 assists, 22 big chances - the most in the league - 13 through balls and 48 successful dribbles, entrenching him as one of French football's best creators.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast, expert Julien Laurens said: "He has been incredible this season. Since he was 16 - even before that - the talent was there.

"A player at this level who takes corners with each foot depending on which side of the corner it is, is just incredible, offering an inswinger every time.

"He is one of the greatest technicians in Europe right now."

The data backs up assertions about Cherki's ability with both feet. Of his 44 shots in the 2024-25 season, exactly half (22) came with his left and the same with his right.

Speaking to BBC Sport in April about him, Lyon's former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles said: "He is the best natural talent I've ever seen. An absolute master, a wizard with the ball.

"He is taking chances, assists and dragging us up the pitch by taking people on and nutmegging them - he is a genius."

So, how would he fit in at Manchester City?

Pep Guardiola traditionally prefers his midfielders to keep the ball and be patient rather than play in a direct, transitional style. However, he now has a Kevin de Bruyne-shaped hole to fill following the Belgian's departure.

Cherki could also be deployed on the right wing, with wide players Jeremy Doku and Savinho struggling for consistency last season, and Jack Grealish open to leaving the club.

It is an exciting time for a player who may, in the space of seven days, go from making his international debut to ing one of the world's best clubs.

Read the full article here