The summer transfer window opens on Sunday, and Arsenal are already looking to enact deals under new sporting director Andrea Berta.
Berta was appointed as Edu Gaspar’s replacement in March, and the pressure is on him to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad this summer.
Arsenal have reportedly already held talks with Viktor Gyokeres over a prospective move, while groundwork on a potential deal for Benjamin Sesko has been done.
Acquiring a striker may be the priority, but many feel the Gunners need to add another creative midfielder to Arteta’s ranks to provide serious cover and competition for a misfiring Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal fans want Andrea Berta to sign Rayan Cherki
Odegaard struggled for large parts of the 2024/25 season, and thus, adding someone who can both play instead of him and with him could be a necessary addition as Arsenal look to address their creative issues.
The likes of Xavi Simons and Eberechi Eze have been vaguely linked with a switch to the Emirates, although few concrete reports have emerged on these fronts.
Manchester City are now reportedly chasing Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki, and this has prompted the Gunners faithful to call on Berta to hijack this move.
One Arsenal fan wrote on X: “Arsenal should be all over Cherki but they’ll never bin Odegaard.”
Another added: “Surprised Arsenal haven’t been in the mix for the 3 most Arsenal-coded players on the market: Hugo Ekitike, Rayan Cherki and Lamine Camara. Understand Arteta coveting players who enable the right to play with physicality, but then you need the mavericks to.”
Meanwhile, one supporter wrote: “Rayan Cherki is the exact type of player that Arsenal should be targeting, but the club don’t seem to think that way, sadly.”
Another fan was deflated about City’s pursuit of Cherki and Tijani Reijnders, writing: “How can Arsenal watch City take both Reijnders and Cherki? What are we doing seriously?”
Should Arsenal sign Rayan Cherki?
Rio Ferdinand has spoken highly of Cherki in the past, and the former Manchester United defender is not the only admirer of the 21-year-old.
Compatriot Kylian Mbappe posted on X about Cherki back when the starlet was just 16, replying to a post about him scoring twice and providing two assists in one game.
While the outpouring of respect for Cherki certainly does suggest he’s talented, Arsenal should be careful if they do consider signing him.
An exceptional passer and ball carrier, there have been numerous reports in the past indicating that the France under-21 international is a troublesome character.
Arteta generally tends to steer clear of players who have caused issues in dressing rooms, which is likely why there have been no suggestions that Cherki will end up at Arsenal.
There are also question marks around the player’s physicality and whether he could adapt to the intensity of the Premier League.
Ultimately, Arsenal are in a position where they cannot afford to take a risk on a player like this, even if he is talented.
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