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Manchester City and Chelsea remain locked in talks over a deal for Enzo Fernandez to switch this summer, with manager Enzo Maresca understood to be the driving force behind the deal.
GIVEMESPORT sources understand that Chelsea are open to allowing the Argentina midfielder to depart Stamford Bridge this summer, however, they have set a £120m asking price for the window and have zero intention of going below it.
In fact, it's understood that the west London side have set a deadline of Friday 5pm (14 Aug) for Man City, or any other interested club, to table a £120m net bid for Fernandez, or he will stay at the club as part of Xabi Alonso's squad, wiith there being zero intention of allowing the saga to drag into the new campaign.
Maresca Loves Fernandez
REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
The two Enzos worked together at Chelsea over an 18-month period, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup together, before the Italian coach left in January of this year following a fallout with the board.
Not long after, Fernandez publicly stated that he wanted to join Real Madrid in the future, and was handed an in-house ban by then-Blues boss Liam Rosenior. A summer exit has been on the cards ever since, but the Spanish side ruled out making any move for him in this window following Jose Mourinho's arrival.
That has opened the door for Man City to firm up their interest, and Maresca is keen to be reunited with the 25-year-old. City have already brought in Elliot Anderson for £116m this summer, while they are also on the brink of an agreement with Lille to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi for around £87m.
But Fernandez would represent a huge deal too, with reports from Argentina stating that the Cityzens are ready to test Chelsea's resolve with a £102m bid.
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Fees correct prior to summer 2026
Maresca's Fernandez Verdict is Clear
via Reuters
While he was manager of Chelsea, Maresca made Fernandez a hugely important figure in his team, and it's clear that he rates him very highly on and off the pitch.
Speaking to the official Chelsea website in February 2025, Maresca praised Fernandez as a leader and stated that he had stepped up a level since he'd taken over as boss.
He's also already given a hint as to how he would look to use Fernandez in his team should the deal be completed, speaking about his fit in his system back in 2024.
"I think it’s very difficult in the way we play to find a midfielder that can attack like an attacking midfielder and defend like a holding midfielder," he said.
"For instance, Arsenal are using Declan Rice as an attacking midfielder on the ball and as a holding midfielder when defending. Man City, in the past, have done this with Ilkay Gundogan.