Chelsea have set a deadline for the sale of Enzo Fernandez for Friday, August 14, with Manchester City in a race to sign the Argentine star.
The Blues evaluate the midfielder at £120 million, with new Man City boss Enzo Maresca reportedly very interested in the services of Fernandez to bolster his stocks in the middle of the park.
Fernandez’s six years left on his contract, as well as a 10-goal Premier League season last campaign is what has reaffirmed his hefty price tag.
Sale of Rodri
Barcelona have been in notable pursuit of Rodri in this transfer window, with Man City rejecting their opening £40 million bid for the Spanish World Cup-winning star.
Rodri’s potential departure has opened the door for the arrival of Fernandez – who although is a different style of centre-midfielder, his distribution and goal-scoring ability makes him an attractive prospect for Maresca.
Man City signed Elliot Anderson for a substantial £116 million fee from Nottingham Forest earlier in the window in the hopes of the England international partnering Rodri in midfield.
However, Anderson holding Man City’s structure in front of the back four, whilst Fernandez creates goalscoring opportunities further up the field, is a good alternative approach should the Spanish giants meet the club’s evaluation of Rodri.
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Strained relationship
Chelsea and Man City already have a strained relationship after Maresca’s controversial shift from London to Manchester.
The Man City higher-ups were required to pay £17 million in compensation to the Blues to acquire Maresca.
Reports suggested Maresca had conversations with Man City prior to his departure via mutual agreement with Chelsea at the end of 2025 – hence the uneasy relationship between the clubs.
Deadline day for the summer transfer window is set for Tuesday, September 1, which sees Man City in a race against time to sign Fernandez, considering Chelsea are looking to establish a settled dressing room before the upcoming Premier League season.
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