Tottenham Hotspur have made contact over signing an "outrageous" forward as chairman Daniel Levy and the Spurs recruitment team consider a potential bargain summer deal, with his mooted price tag called "too good to be true".
Tottenham target new forward amid Ange Postecoglou uncertainty
Ange Postecoglou's full focus is on their looming Europa League final clash against Man United on May 21 - an encounter which could single-handedly rescue Spurs' season from the depths of despair.
Qualification for next season's Champions League, not to mention Tottenham's first major trophy in over 17 years, is on the line against United with both sides looking to end their dismal campaigns in the best possible fashion.
Reports claim Postecoglou is highly likely to leave Spurs regardless of whether they win the final in Bilbao (David Ornstein), but the Australian could still etch his name into history by becoming the first Lilywhites boss to win a trophy in nearly two decades.
He could also fulfill his early-season pledge of 'always' winning silverware during his second season in charge, so a lot is personally riding on the line for Postecoglou, even if a departure from N17 seems more and more inevitable.
The 59-year-old's future will have a knock-on effect when it comes to Levy's transfer plans for the fast-approaching summer window, and it is believed that Tottenham are targeting a new forward among their recruitment priorities.
Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa is apparently attracting interest from Spurs, while Man City playmaker James McAtee is another attacker admired by Tottenham. Both players are not expected to break the bank in terms of cost, amid claims Tottenham are set for a 'sell to buy' summer (The Telegraph).
However, one very highly-rated forward, and one who could be one of the bargains of 2025, is Lyon star Rayan Cherki.
The Frenchman has bagged 12 goals and 18 assists across his total appearances in Ligue 1 and the Europa League this term, marking himself out as a star player for Lyon, but his contract is said to include a tantalising £19 million release clause.
That is according to Le Parisien, who also report that Tottenham have made contact over a move for Cherki, alongside some Premier League rivals.
The 21-year-old falls into Spurs' recruitment policy perfectly, given he's young with world-class potential at a very reasonable value. Cherki will surely be a player in very high demand this summer, with journalist Dean Jones previously explaining why clubs need to consider swooping for him.
"Rayan Cherki, who is just absolutely unbelievable,” said Jones on the Ranks FC Ultras Podcast (via TBR). "You see figures around Cherki and there’s like 25 million pounds talked about, which just seems like too good to be true. He’s just different, this player.
“If you haven’t seen Cherki play, then just either stop the pod and go and watch him on YouTube for 10 minutes and then come back or just go watch him while we’re talking right now. Because his skill level is outrageous. He feels like he could become one of the best players in the world.”
Given Cherki's mooted fee has now dropped below £25m to £19m, it makes Jones' statement all the more relevant, and we wouldn't be at all surprised to see him emerge as a top target for Levy.