Real Madrid finds Plan B for Olise

Rayan Cherki, a 23-year-old French forward from Manchester City, is once again emerging as an option for Real Madrid's transfers in the upcoming transfer windows. The white team may consider his signing if the possible sanction against the English team leads to player departures, while the option of signing Michael Olise from FC Bayern Munich presents significant challenges.

The player is valued at around 110 million euros in the current market scenario and has a contract until June 2030. His ability to play as a right winger or attacking midfielder would allow Madrid to incorporate a creative profile that has long been linked to the club.

🇫🇷🔥 RAYAN CHERKI AND MICHAEL OLISE WARMING UP BEFORE THE MATCH The City player and the former Palace player were having fun with the ball… 🎨⚽ And then they entered the field to settle the match. 😮‍💨🔥 https://t.co/oaFM9kKPZQ

— English Football (@futbolingles_) October 6, 2026

Rayan Cherki, a long-standing target for Real Madrid since Zidane's era

The interest in Rayan Cherki dates back to his time at Olympique Lyon. When he was just 16 years old, the forward was already being watched by Zinedine Zidane, who believed he could be an interesting addition for the future.

Those contacts were not mere speculations. In 2020, then-president of Lyon, Jean-Michel Aulas, publicly acknowledged that Madrid and Manchester United had shown interest in signing the player while he was still in the club's youth ranks. Cherki is the signing that got away from Real Madrid and is now succeeding in the Premier League.

Cherki ultimately stayed in France and continued his development to become one of Lyon's offensive references. During the 2024/25 season, he scored 12 goals and provided 20 assists in 44 matches, stats that preceded his transfer to Manchester City.

The English team secured his signing in June 2025 in an operation close to 36 million euros. Since then, the Frenchman has gained experience in the Premier League and European competitions.

His main appeal for Madrid lies in his versatility. Cherki can play on the right wing, move into central positions, and operate behind the striker, contributing to both building up plays and making the final pass.

Manchester City and FC Bayern Munich influencing the deal

Manchester City's situation could be decisive. An independent commission found the club guilty of several financial infractions on September 29, although the club has appealed the decision, and there is no definitive punishment yet.

Among the potential penalties is a points deduction that could lead to relegation. If this scenario materializes, the future of Rayan Cherki could be in jeopardy, although there are currently no requests for the player to leave.

Meanwhile, Michael Olise remains tied to FC Bayern Munich until 2029. The German club aims to extend his contract, but their sporting director, Max Eberl, has admitted that formal negotiations have not started yet.

Signing Cherki is currently easier than signing Olise

Bayern's stance complicates any transfer attempt, while Cherki could be an alternative depending on the sporting and financial consequences facing City.

For Real Madrid, the next step will be to await the resolution of the English club's appeal process, which could extend into early 2027. If the punishment facilitates player movements, Rayan Cherki would have both sporting and contractual reasons to be considered, although no negotiations have been confirmed yet.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Real Madrid encuentra el plan B a Olise