No one will decide my future for me – Man City proposed replacement for De Bruyne declares
Manchester City’s attacking midfielder target opened up on his failed exit from his current club last summer.
No one will decide my future for me — Man City’s proposed De Bruyne replacement declares
Manchester City target Ryan Cherki recently opened up on his struggles last summer, when Lyon froze him out after he rejected the approach of a number of clubs.
Manchester City are reportedly just days away from signing a replacement for the departing club legend Kevin De Bruyne.
Mateo Kovacic will be unavailable for the Club World Cup after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery.
Cherki’s struggles
The 21-year-old had been one of the top-rated prospects in world football from his time at the Lyon Academy. However, he has struggled with consistency and injuries, which has seen his stock dip.
This season, however, he reached incredible heights for Les Gones, registering 31 big chances in all competitions, a feat that has attracted suitors, including Manchester City, who have made strides in their bid to sign him.
With his exit from Lyon this summer seemingly set in stone, Cherki had an interview with L’Equipe, in which he discussed his failed exit last summer and the consequences.
Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette celebrating
What Cherki said
With one year left on his contract, Lyon were keen to sell the playmaker. They agreed on terms with PSG; however, the Parisians could not reach an agreement on personal terms with the player.
He agreed to join Dortmund, but the Germans failed to seal the deal with Lyon. Cherki also rejected a move to Fulham on deadline day, a decision that frustrated his club.
Hence, they froze him out of the squad with an ultimatum: to sign a new contract, ensuring they don’t lose him on a free, or remain axed. Cherki put pen to paper on a one-year deal and is now back in the market.
Looking back at that distressful summer, he had the following to say: “Everyone forgets that,” he said, per GFFN. “It still makes me smile. It shows that football can be thankless, in the sense that I gave everything to the club.
“I signed my first professional contract there despite other options, I extended my contract several times, and I always gave my word not to leave on a free transfer. And despite that, in return, some tried to hurt me.”
“I never gave up. I knew where I wanted to go. I was heavily criticised by some internally, my entourage was criticised… But I’m the one who makes decisions. No one will decide for me how, why, or where [I’ll go].”
Manchester City have confirmed the signing of highly-rated 18-year-old striker Mahamadou Sangaré, who joins the Premier League giants on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. The French youth international is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract with the English champions.
Sangaré, widely regarded as one of the most promising young forwards in European football, attracted interest from several top clubs across the continent. However, it is Manchester City who have won the race for his signature, further underlining their strategy of identifying, signing, and developing the best young talents in world football.
The teenager rose to prominence during the 2024/25 UEFA Youth League campaign, where he delivered a string of eye-catching performances for PSG’s under-19 side. He scored eight goals in just six appearances, averaging over a goal per game, and also contributed two assists. His standout performance came against Atlético Madrid, where he netted a sensational hat-trick, showcasing his natural instincts, technical ability, and composure in front of goal.
Sangaré’s development at PSG saw him compared to some of the finest strikers to come through the French club’s academy. Known for his pace, movement, and clinical finishing, he has been tipped by many scouts and analysts as a future star for both club and country. His decision to leave PSG was reportedly motivated by a desire for greater opportunities and a clearer path to first-team football, something Manchester City have increasingly offered to their top young prospects through their Elite Development Squad and global loan network.
Manchester City’s acquisition of Sangaré is the latest example of the club’s long-term vision. Under the leadership of manager Pep Guardiola and the club’s football executive team, City have made a concerted effort to blend world-class senior players with emerging talents capable of making the step up to Premier League football. Recent years have seen young stars like Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and Oscar Bobb make the transition from youth level to first-team regulars.
While it is expected that Sangaré will initially be integrated into City’s youth or development setup, the club believe he has all the attributes to eventually become a first-team player. His signing also reflects the broader strategy employed by City Football Group, which oversees the development of young talent across its global network of clubs.
As Sangaré prepares to begin the next chapter of his career in England, Manchester City fans will be eager to see how the young French striker adapts to his new environment and develops under one of the most renowned coaching structures in European football.
With the deal now confirmed and a medical imminent, all eyes will be on the promising forward as he takes his first steps at the Etihad Campus, hoping to follow in the footsteps of other breakout stars who have flourished under City’s guidance.
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