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A HOST OF CLUBS ARE KEEN ON LYON'S RAYAN CHERKI - BUT THIERRY HENRY KNOWS WHAT MAKES HIM TICK 14:42, 22 May 2025 Newcasrle United reported transfer target Rayan Cherki will need

'tough love' to survive in the Premier League as a host of clubs weigh up a move for the talented French youngster. The 21-year-old has been on United's radar for some time

and has hinted that he may leave Lyon this summer after a sensational season in Ligue 1. Cherki has hit 12 goals and an incredible 20 assists in 44 appearances for the French outfit this

term - and has a cut-price €22.5m release clause. That has alerted Newcastle and Premier League rivals Manchester United, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Liverpool, along with interest from

Borussia Dortmund in Germany. His message following Lyon's final-day win over Angers last week has been interpretted by some as a farewell, with the forward saying: "Thanks to OL,

the coach, the staff, the president, my teammates and all people at the club." However, Premier League legend Thierry Henry - who coached Cherki for France Under-21s - has warned that

he will need a hard taskmaster to get the most out of him. Arsenal hero Henry is a big fan of the youngster, but told L'Equipe: "Everyone knows what he can do. And this season, he

has shown that he also knows how to do what is expected of him without the ball, that is to say, adapt to a system. "His problem was that he had never been able to play a string of

matches to show what an extraordinary player he is. But to play a string of matches, he had to do things, defensively, throughout the duration of a match. This season, he did it, so he

played a string of matches. I appreciate this kid so much... It's just that at certain times, you had to be tough, like a father with his son. Article continues below “For me,

we're talking about a guy who should have been battling with the others, at the very top, for a long time to see who is the best. He fell behind because it took him a while to

understand... But now, he's understood.” Cherki's record for France Under-21s is just as impressive as his Lyon stats this season. He has played 23 times for the young French team

and scored 13 goals, with a call up to the national side expected in the coming weeks. The statistics certainly back up Henry’s assessment. Cherki has scored 13 goals in 23 games for France

Under-21s and is now expected to be called up to the senior Les Bleus squad this summer.