Man United and Real Madrid missed out on Lyon star Rayan Cherki, claims Jean-Michel Aulas

The 16-year-old has scored three times in 12 appearances this term

Lyon owner Jean-Michel Aulas claims his club beat Manchester United and Real Madrid to the signing of 16-year-old striker Rayan Cherki.

Likened to former Lyon star Karim Benzema, Zinedine Zidane was thought to be leading the charge to sign Cherki.

But OL secured Cherki’s signature on professional terms last year, with the player since featuring 12 times and scoring three goals - all in the Coupe de France.

Aulas has now tipped the club’s starlet for the very top and boasted about fending off the European giants to retain the player.

“He is good enough to go to the highest level,” Aulas told Telefoot.

Cherki is rated extremely highly at Lyon (AFP)

“We made sure we signed him because Real Madrid and Manchester United both wanted him.

“We want him to be a star here, we will support him and help him to progress his career here and be the leader of our attack.”

Also a France Under-16 international, Cherki joined OL back in 2010 from Rhône-side Saint-Priest.