Rayan Cherki: Man City new signing wants Man Utd revenge

Cherki was previously linked with a move to Manchester United, but joined Pep Guardiola’s side on a five-year contract.

Described as “one of the greatest technicians in Europe”, he made his senior debut for Lyon at 16 and scored 29 goals and provided 45 assists in 185 games for the club.

Cherki can play as a winger but his preference is a more central number 10 role, and has been viewed as a possible replacement for the inspirational Kevin de Bruyne, who left City for Napoli on a free transfer.

City have also signed Netherlands international Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan as part of a midfield rebuild.

But France international Cherki wants to create his own legacy with Guardiola’s side and spoke of his ambition to win major trophies and the Ballon d’Or like City team-mate Rodri did in 2024.

“I’m not Kevin De Bruyne, he is the legend,” he added. “I’m here to help the team and to write my own story. I hope to win all the time with the team.

“When you see Rodri, he won the Ballon d’Or here – it’s clear that with Manchester City it’s possible and I am here for this.

“When I spoke with Pep, he wanted me – he was very, very clear. Pep told me, ‘when you have the ball, you are free’, which is very good for me because it’s my first quality to help the team.

“The system, the club, the city is very good. I want to win and I think Manchester City wants to win it all.”