Real Madrid weighing €100m-plus move for Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki

Real Madrid are preparing a major bid for Manchester City forward Rayan Cherki, with Jose Mourinho reportedly identifying the France international as a priority target for next summer.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the club are considering an offer of more than 100 million euros to persuade Manchester City to sell the 23-year-old. The size of the proposed fee reflects both Cherki’s importance to his current club and the financial difficulty of negotiating with Manchester City.

Cherki is viewed as a player capable of changing the course of a match through his creativity, technical quality and versatility. Mourinho would reportedly like to use him on the right side or in an attacking midfield role, giving Real Madrid another option when opponents defend deep and limit space.

The interest comes as Real Madrid assess possible changes to their attacking options. Rodrygo’s repeated injuries have complicated the club’s plans, while Brahim Diaz could consider leaving in search of more regular playing time.

That uncertainty is encouraging the Spanish club to plan ahead, although any move for Cherki would represent a substantial investment.

Manchester City hold strong negotiating position

Manchester City regard Cherki as an important part of their sporting project and are not expected to consider a departure without receiving a significant offer.

Fichajes reports that Real Madrid understand they may need to exceed 100 million euros merely to begin serious negotiations. The club must therefore decide how far it is willing to go to meet Mourinho’s demands while maintaining the balance of its finances and addressing other squad requirements.

The potential operation has been compared with the situation involving Bukayo Saka. Arsenal could demand between 150 and 160 million euros for the England winger, according to estimates cited in the same context.

Real Madrid’s strategy could also be influenced by developments affecting the finances of English clubs. The club are reportedly monitoring possible financial sanctions involving Manchester United in the Premier League, although their direct impact on Manchester City’s position remains unclear.

There is currently no indication that those circumstances would change Manchester City’s demands. They could, however, form part of Real Madrid’s wider assessment of the English market before deciding how to proceed.

Informal talks expected in late 2026

The first discussions could take place in November and December 2026, when Cherki’s representatives are expected to hold informal contact with Real Madrid officials, according to Fichajes.

Those conversations would allow both sides to assess the level of interest and explore the possible conditions of a deal. They would not mean an agreement was close, nor would they indicate that Manchester City had agreed to consider selling the player.

Cherki’s arrival would become one of the central elements of a new attacking plan at Real Madrid if Mourinho’s preference is accepted. The club must now weigh its sporting ambitions against Manchester City’s asking price and the financial demands of rebuilding its squad.