- Lyon hit with provisional relegation over financial issues
- French side tipped to sell key players to raise funds
- Liverpool linked with move for in-demand Rayan Cherki
Liverpool have reportedly made contact with the entourage of Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki over a potential cut-price deal for the 21-year-old after the French side were provisionally relegated to Ligue 2.
Lyon currently find themselves fifth in Ligue 1 but face significant issues behind the scenes, with club debts reported to have risen to €508m (£424.5m). Officials were ordered to meet with French football's financial watchdog, the Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion, who ruled that Lyon will be relegated to the second tier if they do not get their finances in order before the end of the current campaign.
Faced with the significant threat, Lyon may now be forced to sell a number of their prized assets and L'Equipe name Liverpool as potential suitors for Cherki.
It is said that Lyon have vowed to keep hold of key youngsters like Cherki and 19-year-old winger Malick Fofana as they look to book a spot in next season's Champions League, but the reality of their financial situation could force them to entertain offers for each and every player in the squad.
Lyon are braced for a number of offers for Cherki, who has two goals and three assists from 11 appearances to his name this season, and value the 21-year-old at just €25m (£20.9m).
It is said that Cherki's dream transfer destination would be Real Madrid, who are not considering making a move, while Paris Saint-Germain could reignite their interest after chasing his signature during the summer.
Cherki operates primarily as a central attacking midfielder but has plenty of experience out on the right wing, where Liverpool are exploring their options amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah's future at Anfield.
A whole host of players have been scouted as Liverpool search for a potential heir to Salah's position on the right side of attack, with Cherki the latest on a shortlist which is said to include Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, among others.
