Lazio received a boost in their pursuit of Rayan Cherki after Olympique Lyonnais confirmed he ‘will certainly leave’ this summer.
He will turn 21 later this month and his contract with Lyon only runs to June 2025, so with no chance of an extension, he needs to be sold now or risk going as a free agent.
“We spoke to him at the start of the summer and are trying to find a solution,” director of sport David Friio told Le Progrès.
“He will certainly leave. I think it needs to be an advantageous situation for him. He is a product of this club and gave us a great deal, but there are times in a career when you need to look elsewhere.”
Cherki enticing option for Lazio
The Biancocelesti have long been linked with the France Under-21 international, who is currently playing for France at the Olympic Games in Paris.
There is some competition from Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain for the creative midfielder, who can also play on the left or right wing.
Cherki is a product of the Olympique Lyonnais youth academy and was promoted to the senior squad from January 2020.
He has 116 Ligue 1 appearances under his belt, where he scored six goals and provided 16 assists.