Manchester City are stepping up their pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with the Argentina international viewed as a marquee addition to Enzo Maresca‘s rebuilt midfield at the Etihad Stadium.
According to Mirror, City are working to finalise the formalities required to complete the transfer this week. Sources at the club growing increasingly confident that a deal can be struck before the transfer window closes.
Fernandez keen to reunite with former boss
The 25-year-old worked under Maresca during the Italian’s time at Stamford Bridge, and that relationship appears central to City’s optimism.
Fernandez is understood to be pushing for a move back to his former manager, a stance that has reportedly complicated his involvement in Chelsea’s recent fixtures.
City are said to be prepared to meet Chelsea’s asking price, which has fluctuated in recent weeks. Sky Sports reported that Chelsea value Fernandez at around £120m, though more recent figures floated by Italian media put the fee closer to £140m.
City had earlier missed a self-imposed deadline set by Chelsea for formal bids, but that has not deterred them from continuing talks.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed City’s determination to get a deal done, saying on his YouTube channel:
“Manchester City are still thinking of Enzo Fernandez in midfield.” He added that City had not given up on the midfielder even after Chelsea’s deadline passed.
Chelsea, for their part, have publicly maintained a firm stance. Sources close to the west London club continue to insist they intend to keep hold of their World Cup-winning midfielder.
Midfield reshuffle at the Etihad
City’s renewed push for Fernandez comes against the backdrop of a significant summer rebuild in midfield.
Rodri’s departure to Barcelona, in a deal worth around £65m, left a considerable gap in Pep Guardiola’s old engine room, one that Maresca — now in charge at the Etihad following his move from Chelsea — is keen to address quickly.
City have already agreed a deal in principle for Lille’s Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi, and the expected exit of Nico Gonzalez, who is closing in on a move to Newcastle United, would free up further squad space and financial flexibility to accommodate a marquee signing such as Fernandez.
A Sky Sports source described the situation succinctly, noting that “City boss Maresca is a big admirer of Enzo Fernandez”
Maresca made a winning start to his City tenure at the weekend, seeing his new side beat Bournemouth 2-1, but the victory came with the club light on numbers in central midfield.
With the transfer deadline approaching, City are understood to be ready to formalise an offer in the coming days, even without full encouragement from Chelsea, who have so far resisted pressure to sanction the sale.
Agent Jorge Mendes is reported to be involved in trying to bridge the valuation gap between the two clubs. Should the move go through, it would represent one of the most significant reunions of the summer, bringing together a coach and a player whose partnership at Chelsea helped shape some of Fernandez’s best form in England.
