Rayan Cherki was linked to Newcastle last summer, thus the French team might have to let go of their best players.
Newcastle United will be watching on closely as French side Lyon try to get to grips with their financial situation. The Ligue 1 club have been threatened with relegation at the end of the season and hit by a transfer ban due to reported financial irregularities. French football watchdog, the DNCG, have decided to provisionally relegated Lyon to Ligue 2 next season following an audit of their finances, unless they can dramatically improve their situation. That could mean some big transfer exits in the January transfer window, with Newcastle-linked Rayan Cherki among those who could be sold.
United were reported to be watching the midfielder after a €15m transfer to Borussia Dotmund broke down last summer, with suggestions that he could help solve their right-sided attacking problems. He can play across the frontline, although is perhaps more comfortable as a No 10.
Lyon owner, American businessman John Textor, is reportedly confident in being able to address the club’s issues, but it means the likes of Cherki, Alexandre Lacazette, Malick Fofana and Corentin Tolisso could leave on cut-price fees.
Newcastle opted against making any attacking signings in the summer transfer window, other than the arrival of William Osula from Sheffield United, but will have money to spend in the January window if the right target is available. Cherki has played 11 times for Lyon so far this season, scoring in Ligue 1 and in the Europa League, while also contributing three assists.
It remains to be seen whether United will revisit interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi after the summer transfer saga, with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles nearing fitness as they recover from ACL surgery.
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