Real Madrid Transfers: 5 modern-day No. 10’s to consider for the future

Lyon FW Rayan Cherki

Rayan Cherki is the most realistic of the five options here, because he dreams of a move to Real Madrid. Furthermore, because he is a true prospect who has not yet received his chance to be a star player at Lyon, he would be more affordable than some of the other players. Certainly, he would come cheaper to Los Blancos than either Jamal Musiala or Florian Wirtz. Both would be out of Real’s price range, with Musiala very likely being 100 percent off-limits.

Lyon are known for developing and selling top talent, and they have a few players who should be on Real’s radar. We have seen Los Blancos make successful signings from the former giants of French football in the past. Club legend Karim Benzema is the biggest of them, but Ferland Mendy has also become quite the addition since joining in 2019.

Cherki has not quite played 200 minutes in Ligue 1 this season, as he’s mostly been coming off the bench. Lyon are well aware that he is the next big thing, so they aren’t going to rush things. With the other talent they have and with Cherki still at 18, they have no reason to.

There have been rumblings that Real Madrid could sign him and then loan him back to Lyon, where he could remain and develop before going to the Bernabeu. That could be one way of securing the talented youngster, who can play at multiple positions. The key is versatility, and Cherki is a serious attacking talent who can provide that.

But will Real Madrid have a need for someone like Cherki at another attacking position if they sign Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland? That is another question to ponder.