CRYSTAL PALACE’S bid to sign Lyon magician Rayan Cherki has been hit by European giants Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund joining the race.
The French aristocrats and German powerhouse are ahead of Palace in the chase for the 21-year-old.
He is expected to cost around £30million and the Eagles had hoped Lyon owner John Textor — who is trying to sell his stake in Palace — would be able to swing the deal their way.
But instead, PSG and Dortmund are willing to pay the money that matters.
And attacker Cherki is looking to play for a leading Champions League club if he leaves Lyon in the January window.
The French ace turned down Fulham last season and has always set his sights higher.
Liverpool have been watching developments but are yet to make a concrete move.
Palace want one major capture in the window and a couple of fringe additions — unless they lose another star.
Cherki has impressed this season with Lyon as he has registered four goals and four assists in 15 appearances across all competitions.
The playmaker has been playing with the French giants’ senior side since his promotion from the youth teams in 2019.
The Frenchman has registered 21 goals and 29 assists in 156 appearances with Lyon.
The Ligue 1 outfit, though, have been provisionally relegated as they are unable to clear their rising £422m debt and have now been banned from signing players in January.
Pierre Sage’s side will lose their top-flight status at the end of the season unless they improve their situation and avoid going into administration.
