Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca was asked about the club’s interest in signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea in a press conference over the weekend.
Lets talk Elliot Anderson and what to expect at Manchester City
More Videos
Enzo Maresca has largely spearheaded Manchester City’s interest in Enzo Fernandez, who is reportedly keen on a move away from Stamford Bridge and attracted by the prospect of reuniting with the former Chelsea manager at the Etihad Stadium.
The Argentina international would arguably represent an ideal signing for Manchester City to strengthen a midfield that has lost all of Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Tijjani Reijnders in the ongoing summer transfer window.
Nico Gonzalez has publicly expressed a desire to stay and fight for a place under Enzo Maresca, but the 24-year-old Spaniard has been told by Manchester City bosses that he is free to leave amid interest from Newcastle United.
The club's sporting director Hugo Viana is expected to make at least two midfield signings in the final days of the transfer window, with the Blues’ hierarchy having come under criticism from fans on social media over the uncharacteristically 'reactionary' approach towards business this summer.
The eight-time Premier League champions are undergoing a mass exodus within the first-team and despite having broken their transfer record to sign England international Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, there is plenty of business to be done before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Maresca quizzed about Enzo Fernandez Pursuit
In a recent press conference around Manchester City’s season opener victory against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, manager Enzo Maresca was probed on the club’s reported interest in Enzo Fernandez.
Maresca told reporters, "Enzo [Fernandez] is a Chelsea player and I'm not going to talk about players that are not with us.
“First of all, because I think it's a lack of respect, and second because I don't like when different managers talk about our players.”
Manchester City are interested in signing Fernandez, who is valued by Chelsea at north of £120 million and a deal is extremely unlikely to be made for anything less than that figure, regardless of how desperate the north-west Blues are in need of urgent midfield reinforcements.
Manchester City are reportedly prepared to launch a bid for Enzo Fernandez despite missing Chelsea’s internal 'deadline' on the midfielder, and are expected to sign two players in the position before the transfer window shuts.cityxtra.co.ukMan City Prepared to Bid For Enzo Fernandez as Full Midfield Transfer Shortlist Detailed
Manchester City are reportedly prepared to launch a bid for Enzo Fernandez despite missing Chelsea’s internal 'deadline' on the midfielder, and are expected to sign two players in the position before the transfer window shuts.
Will Enzo Fernandez join Man City in the coming 10 days?
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has refused to rule out an exit for Enzo Fernandez - but the west London club will surely use the benchmark Manchester City have set by paying £116 million for Anderson - if and when a formal approach is made for their Argentine star.
City have plenty of other targets they are interested in during the final days of the summer market, but the fact that they have left it this late in the window to recruit will likely see selling clubs hold sporting director Hugo Viana to ransom.
This has been epitomised by Manchester City’s negotiations with Lille for Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has agreed personal terms over a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, with the two sides meeting at €100 million over the weekend comprising of a €95 million guaranteed fee with a further €5 million in add-ons.
Lille and Manchester City have come to an agreement over a transfer for Ayyoub Bouaddi to the Etihad Stadium, it is being reported.cityxtra.co.ukMan City and Lille Reach Full Agreement on Ayyoub Bouaddi
Lille and Manchester City have come to an agreement over a transfer for Ayyoub Bouaddi to the Etihad Stadium, it is being reported.
Palmeiras are also holding out for their desired €40 million fee for Brazilian winger Allan Elias, who has been identified by City as a like-for-like replacement for the outgoing Savinho - who is set to join Tottenham this week in a package deal worth £85 million.