City are reportedly looking for a flagship signing to kickstart Maresca’s reign, and Fernandez’s ability to control the tempo of matches from deep is seen as the perfect fit for the squad's revised tactical direction. After arriving at Chelsea for a then British-record fee of £106.8 million, Fernandez has struggled to find consistency in a frequently rotating Blues side.
With Chelsea missing out on Champions League football next season, the prospect of joining the perpetual winners in Manchester may prove too tempting to turn down. The Blues face a final-day trip to Sunderland this Sunday, knowing they can finish no higher than seventh in the Premier League table, a factor that only adds to the uncertainty surrounding their star assets.