Tottenham told £25m target has more 'natural talent' than Bukayo Saka

One of Tottenham’s reported transfer targets has been billed a better ‘natural talent’ than Bukayo Saka. Spurs will be hoping to strengthen significantly this summer as they look to put a hugely disappointing campaign in the rear-view mirror.

Whether Ange Postecoglou is still in place or not, Spurs need to invest wisely to ensure they have more quality and depth going into next season, especially if they harbour hopes of competing for European qualification again.

One player the North London club have been linked with is Lyon winger Rayan Cherki who, at just 21 years of age, is tearing up Ligue 1, so far scoring nine and assisting 18 this season.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has said there is a £25million release clause in Cherki’s contract, making the youngster a potential bargain signing for Tottenham, and indeed others who have been linked. But there may be catches. Romano said in his GIVEMESPORT newsletter: "Yes (there is a clause), but it’s not an 'easy' clause. Lyon insist there are certain conditions to be met, so it’s not that simple. In any case, for me, it’s a potential bargain as he is an excellent talent."

Cherki is only under contract until the summer of 2026 as things stand, so Lyon will have a decision to make if they can’t agree a new contract this summer.

Maitland-Niles on Cherki

Former Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who played with Bukayo Saka at the Emirates Stadium, currently plays alongside Cherki at Lyon, and he told BBC Sport this week: “He is the best natural talent I've ever seen. An absolute master, a wizard with the ball."

He added: “He is taking chances, assists and dragging us up the pitch by taking people on and nutmegging them - he is a genius. He is two-footed, has no fear, keeps going and going, can get past people with such ease, such finesse. He is now working for the team off the ball and has gone to another level this season."

Elsewhere in the interview, Maitland-Niles spoke of Lyon’s ambitions this season, taking on Manchester United over two legs in the Europa League quarter-finals. he said: “We are a historically big club. Considering where we were last season, it has been a great year but we need to be addicted to winning, push for more and aim for the Champions League."

“They (United) are not having the greatest season but have players like Bruno (Fernandes) and (Christian) Eriksen can run over you if you show too much respect. We have a great team, great manager and team spirit. We will not be scared, we'll give it our all and believe we can win.”

On returning to England next week, he added: “As an Englishman, it will be nice to go home. Old Trafford is nothing short of what they call it, the Theatre of Dreams - it can be a dream for you but it can crush your dreams, too."

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