Barcelona have seen an opening bid for Manchester City midfielder Rodi turned down on Friday - but the La Liga giants are expected to return as they close in on the World Cup winner
Barcelona have launched an opening offer for Man City midfielder Rodri
Barcelona have launched an opening offer for Man City midfielder Rodri
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Enzo Maresca has earmarked Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez as his top option to replace Rodri this summer.
Barcelona have seen an opening offer of £38.5million rejected out of hand by City, who want closer to £60m. However, with just one year remaining on his contract and coming off a serious knee injury, City are open to selling at the right price.
And Maresca, who is going into his first season as Pep Guardiola ’s replacement, sees Fernandez as the perfect replacement for the World Cup Golden Ball winner.
The Italian worked with Fernandez during his time as Chelsea boss and according to the Independent, City are already exploring a possible move for the Argentinian.
Fernandez is yet to report for Chelsea this summer after playing a huge role in Argentina’s rollercoaster ride to the World Cup final. The 25-year-old scored crucial goals in the knockout stages, including a screamer in the dramatic comeback against England in the semis.
However, he arguably cost his nation the chance of lifting a fourth world title after he inexplicably picked up two yellow cards in a matter of minutes.
Chelsea paid £106m for the midfielder in 2023 and would want to make a profit on that, if they were to entertain an exit this summer.
Fernandez was sanctioned earlier this year after his desire to leave the London club was made public. Ex-boss Liam Rosenior was also forced to strip him of the vice captaincy before he was sacked for a disastrous run of results.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea
Chelsea want a reported £120m for Enzo Fernandez(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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New Blues boss Xabi Alonso hasn’t been able to train with the talismanic midfielder during his short tenure, but made it clear he wants him to remain at the club.
Speaking in July, Alonso said: "Yes we have spoken. But as you can imagine what we have spoken remains private,” and then when pressed if he wanted Fernandez to stay, he replied “yes”.
City have already smashed their own transfer record this summer, signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a whopping £116m. But with the exit of Bernardo Silva and the expected one of Rodri, more cover is required before the Premier League campaign begins.
They have also been heavily linked with Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, who shone at the World Cup with Morocco, but his £86m valuation has led talks to an impasse.
Enzo Maresca worked with Fernandez during his time as Chelsea boss
Enzo Maresca worked with Fernandez during his time as Chelsea boss
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Speaking after City’s most recent pre-season friendly, Maresca admitted the club still had work to do in order to replace a number of senior players.
“Fortunately this is a squad that doesn’t need to do many things,” he told media at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s clash with K-League All Stars.
“At the same time, we already know the squad lost some important players with experience with Bernardo, John [Stones], Nathan [Ake]…different players. For sure, there are things we need to do.
He added: “The reason I said there are things to do is because the transfer window is open and when it is open, anything can happen. It is August and then from September, when it’s closed, it is completely different.”