Man Utd set for fresh opportunity to revive failed 2020 transfer bid

Manchester United could be given an opportunity to revive their interest in Lyon winger Rayan Cherki.

The Red Devils were linked with the player back in 2020 after he broke through into the first-team at the French club. Cherki has since made 43 appearances in all competitions, but suffered a serious leg injury towards the back end of last season which has limited his game time in recent months.

However, according to Foot1, the 18-year-old is yet to respond to the club's latest contract renewal offer with his current deal set to run out next summer. It was reported last month that Lyon had opened talks with the youngster over tying him down to a new contract as they look to keep one of their most prized assets.

With Lyon willing to part company with Houssem Aouar and Moussa Dembele this summer, it is understood they do not wish to lose Cherki as well. The club could benefit financially from deals for the duo who have both been linked with a move to the Premier League, which could make more sense than selling a teenage talent.

Lyon consider Cherki as "important element for the future of the club and for the new project based upon Lyonnais DNA" and hope to convince him to stay the club. But a number of European teams have expressed an interest in the attacking midfielder despite not featuring since February.

Two years ago, United and Real Madrid both failed with bids to sign Cherki according to the club's president. Then 16, Cherki scored three goals in his opening six Ligue 1 appearances and Jean-Michel Aulas revealed the Red Devils wanted to sign him back then.

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"He's undoubtedly a player who will go to the highest level," he said in 2020. "That's why we did everything we could to sign him.

"The two clubs that were interested when we won his faith were Real Madrid and Manchester United. We want him to succeed with Lyon.

"We want to support him and that's why we're trying to move his career on. In years to come, we want him to become not only a leader for our attack, but a leader from the academy."

United are expected to be one of the busiest clubs in the summer transfer window as Erik Ten Hag begins to freshen up the squad. The Dutchman wants to add at least one forward, two midfielders and a couple of defenders to his ranks ahead of the new campaign, with Frenkie de Jong and Darwin Nunez amongst those linked.