'I'm a Liverpool target who's been compared to Messi - but I idolise Ronaldo'
As Mohamed Salah's contract at Anfield continues to tick down, Arne Slot may be looking at a replacement for the Egyptian - and Lyon's Rayan Cherki has come up in conversation
As Mohamed Salah's contract at Anfield continues to tick down, Arne Slot may be looking at a replacement for the Egyptian - and Lyon's Rayan Cherki has come up in conversationRayan Cherki has been compared to Lionel Messi (
Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Rayan Cherki has been compared to Lionel Messi, but the Frenchman says that he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo instead.
The 21-year-old forward, who has been with Lyon since his childhood, has found himself linked with Liverpool this January, with Mohamed Salah's current deal expiring at the end of the season. While the 32-year-old has been as good as ever in the Premier League – scoring 19 goals and achieving 13 assists in 22 appearances in the current campaign - there are doubts about his future at Anfield.
The Egyptian is yet to sign a new deal in the north west, which means he is able to open negotiations with non-English clubs with a view to leaving Anfield. As it stands there has been little progress on a new contract for Salah at Liverpool since the January transfer window opened earlier this month.
It means Arne Slot could be left with a complete rethink should their talisman be shown the door. The club have recently been linked with Cherki amid uncertainty regarding Salah's future - a player who has been likened to the best in the world.
That is according to Lyon president, Jean-Michel Aulas, who previously said: "Cherki is comparable to Messi in terms of technical quality." However, Cherki himself has admitted in the past that he hopes to emulate Messi's Portuguese rival, Ronaldo. Speaking to Telefoot, the forward explained that he used CR7 as a main source of inspiration, noting: "I had lots of idols but the one that I think is the best and the example to follow is Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Regarding his work and his longevity, that is the example that you have to follow." He also explained that he wants to entertain on the pitch, adding: "I am here to provide joy for people and to also enjoy myself too and I think that is what makes the difference, whilst being efficient all the while."
Despite being set to turn 40 in February, Ronaldo has shown no signs of slowing down on the pitch. The winger-turned-striker has been playing at the highest level for 23 years now, kicking off his illustrious career at Sporting CP before moving on to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and most recently, Al-Nassr.
Rayan Cherki is linked with Liverpool (Image:
PA)He has scored 779 club goals across all competitions to date, including 14 in the Saudi Pro League this season alone - and while his contract with Al-Nassr expires at the end of the season, Ronaldo hasn't hinted at the prospect of retirement just yet.
Liverpool may face healthy competition should they hope to snag the services of Cherki in the near future, with Newcastle United also thought to be interested in the attacking-midfielder, who can also play on either wing. Elsewhere, it is reported that Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are also monitoring his situation.
Sources also note that Lyon wont let the star leave on the cheap either, meaning that Liverpool may have to splash the cash to acquire the talent ahead of competition - especially given that he has a year left on his current deal and the Ligue 1 side are in no great rush to sell him.
Liverpool could be left with a massive overhaul in the summer, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk also out of contract at the end of the current campaign. Full-back Alexander-Arnold looks likely to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, while Van Dijk - at 33 - may also leave the club should he fail to secure a fresh deal.
Should both defenders, as well as Salah, be allowed to leave the club in the summer, Slot will undeniably have a task at hand in finding replacements of the same calibre. However, at present, it is clear that Slot's focus is solely fixed on the club's endeavours in the Premier League.
The Reds are top of the Premier League, six points clear of second-place Arsenal with a game in hand over the north Londoners. They take on PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday (January 29), before turning their attention to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday (February 1).
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