Luis Enrique's aborted project resurfaces before clash with Manchester City

On the eve of the clash between Manchester City and Paris Saint‑Germain, the transfer that never materialised for Rayan Cherki to PSG resurfaced. Luis Enrique had envisioned for the former Lyon player a role similar to the one later given to Ousmane Dembélé, before the project collapsed.

A contract agreement interrupted

According to information relayed by CulturePSG, Cherki had given his agreement to PSG and was in contractual negotiations during the 2024 summer transfer window. The two clubs had reached a common ground around a transfer estimated at fifteen million euros, while Olympique Lyonnais was looking to replenish its coffers.

As a sign of confidence, the French international had even sent a long voice message to Nasser Al‑Khelaïfi to thank him for the understanding during the negotiations. At that moment, the Cherki case seemed well underway.

Dortmund's intervention and the project's collapse

Borussia Dortmund entered the discussions, promising more playing time to Cherki, which led the player and his entourage to stall. This attitude irritated the Parisian management, which eventually lost patience and withdrew.

The €15‑million gamble that brings Rayan Cherki back to PSG

Dortmund did not send any offer to OL, allowing Cherki to continue his career in Lyon, where he extended his contract with several clauses facilitating a departure the following summer.

In the summer of 2025, Cherki finally joined Manchester City for a fee of forty‑two point five million euros, bonuses included. For its part, PSG turned as early as 2024 to Désiré Doué to strengthen its attacking sector.

Luis Enrique's project, which never materialised in Paris, thus finds itself at the centre of discussions ahead of the European showdown between PSG and Manchester City.