Manchester City are targeting midfield reinforcements this summer but they will not be making a move for a current Chelsea star, Sky Sports News has reported.
It is set to be a summer of change at the Etihad Stadium with Pep Guardiola leaving the club after 10 years in charge. Bernardo Silva and John Stones are also departing.
Enzo Maresca is expected to take charge of City ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, having previously spent time as an assistant coach with the FA Cup winners.
City won six Premier League titles in 10 years under Guardiola but this season was the first time since the Spaniard's arrival they had gone consecutive campaigns without being crowned champions.
Man City don't want Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez
City are eager to strengthen their options in midfield and Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson is their top target. The Etihad Stadium side have been named as favourites to sign the England international, with rivals Manchester United also keen on the midfielder.
Anderson is expected to cost upwards of £100million. Forest believe Declan Rice's £105million move to Arsenal and Moises Caicedo's £115million switch to Chelsea have set a benchmark.
One player City will not be pursuing a deal for, however, is Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Sky Sports News have reported that Anderson is the club's priority and there is now no intention to sign Fernandez, after earlier reports linking them with a move for the player.
Fernandez is valued at £100million by Chelsea having joined for £107million in 2023. The Argentine midfielder still has six years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Fernandez knows Enzo Maresca well
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Fernandez played under incoming City boss Maresca when the pair were together at Chelsea. During the 2024/25 campaign, Maresca hailed Fernandez's leadership qualities and described him as 'fantastic'.
The former Benfica player impressed interim Chelsea boss Calum McFarlane too. Fernandez scored the winner for Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United.
After that game, McFarlane was visceral in his praise of the player. He said: "He's a winner – he's got so much talent, he's got so much fire. He's massive for this group and the best thing about Enzo is that he can do a bit of everything, but when it gets tough, you see the fight in him."
Fernandez was dropped for two games by ex-Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior in April after saying he would welcome the chance to live in Madrid.
He later apologised for those remarks, it was reported the player and his agent were seeking improved terms with Chelsea.
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