The £67 million star ended in Man City after Cherki’s arrival

Manchester City spending is just beginning.

On Monday, the Sky Blues announced Ryan Aitonouli as their first summer signature, reaching £33 million reported by Wolverhampton Wanderers, while the international left-back in Algeria is eligible to make his debut in the opening match of the Citizens Club World Cup against Philadelphia’s Widad Casablanca on next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, extensive reports suggest that Tijjani Reijnders will arrive from AC Milan for £46.3 million.

What Rayan Cherki brings to Manchester City

Athletic David Ornstein last week reported that Manchester City has “contracted” with Olympic Lyon on signing Rayan Cherki, agreeing to pay around £34 million.

ESPN’s Rob Dawson and Julien Lawrence claimed that Man City wanted the deal to be completed in time for Cherki to appear on the Club World Cup group stage.

As for what the city’s latest arrival brings to Etihad, athletics Stuart James and Tom Williams believe the 21-year-old labeled him as “early talented” and cites former Lyon manager Fabio Grosso, who claimed that “God gave him incredible qualities.”

These traits were particularly noticeable during Lyon’s holdings in the quarterfinals of Manchester United and Europa League earlier this year. The youngster got the last gasp equalizer on the first leg, then a stunning drive effort from the range of Old Trafford’s reverse fixtures.

The fleet genius, dubbed “The Future Baron de Or Winner” by athletic Alex Barker, appears destined to become a star under Guardiola’s watch for the next few years.

And with such a quality midfield talent on the way to Etihad, is there a chance that the current Man City star could be kicked out?

Man City stars are destined to leave

As athletics’ Mark Crichley and Ben Burrows pointed out, Jack Grelish has no intention of traveling to the US, suggesting he is likely to leave the club this summer as he was removed from the Manchester City team due to the Club World Cup.

In December, independent Richard Jolly outlined that during his four years with the club, Grelish had now become a “not exciting or attacking” player from “one of the most exciting offensive players in world football.”

The table below highlights the decline in importance of England International.

As the table points out, Grealish was an integral player for Man City during his first two seasons, but the last two were just people around him.

David O’Brien believes he was “exceptional” at a young age in Man City, but BBC Sports’ Alex Brotherton says that now is “the right time to move on” as he is trying to save his career.

The fact that he was an unused replacement in the FA Cup final, a match he lost 1-0 to Manchester City, is widely considered to be the last nail in the co, as another playmaker has arrived at Cherki.

For example, Cherki scored 32 goals in all competitions in Lyon in 2024/25, supporting all competitions, including 19 goals and assists in League Action. Grealish, as stated at the table, could only record eight goals and assists, only two of which came to the Premier League. Moving now seems inevitable.

In fact, reports in Spain suggest that Newcastle United “set their sights” on signing him, and are looking to consider a bid that constitutes an initial loan agreement with an obligation to buy around £67 million.

Talk Sports’ Ben Jacobs also claims that both Tottenham and Everton have a “real” interest in signing Grelish. This along with Gillian Casilier of the complete football analysis, documenting how his “exceptional ball-carrying ability” makes him optimal for the Spurs.

So, while Grealish’s Man City Exit is likely one of the summer stories, regardless of where he ends, he certainly played his final game on Sky Blue.