Manchester City still expect to finalise a deal for Enzo Fernandez this week, with the Argentine pushing to reunite with Enzo Maresca. However, Chelsea have toughened their stance by raising their asking price to €140 million, according to reports.
Manchester City are continuing their pursuit of an Elliot Anderson partner!
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The midfield positions have been a revolving door at the Etihad Stadium all summer, and the biggest incoming name of the lot may yet be on his way.
Manchester City’s 2025/26 midfield has been comprehensively dismantled, with Rodri joining Barcelona, Tijjani Reijnders heading to Saudi Arabia, and Bernardo Silva departing for Real Madrid.
Elliot Anderson has arrived for a club-record £116 million and a deal was ultimately struck with Lille for teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, but manager Enzo Maresca has made no secret of his desire to add further top-end quality to the middle of the park.
Manchester City have announced the signing of midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille on a five-year contract until 2031.cityxtra.co.ukMan City Confirm €100M Ayyoub Bouaddi Signing From Lille
Manchester City have announced the signing of midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille on a five-year contract until 2031.
It looks like the club - and its new boss - feel Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez fits the bill. The 25-year-old thrived under Maresca during the Italian’s time at Stamford Bridge, and is said to be pushing to link back up with the coach who got the best out of him not too long ago.
His numbers underline the calibre of player City are chasing, too: the Argentina international finished last season with 10 goals and four assists in 36 Premier League appearances, having also featured for his country on the World Cup stage.
Man City's Enzo Fernandez hopes continue
Now, according to Gianluca Di Marzio, Manchester City are working with Chelsea to strike an agreement for Enzo Fernandez and anticipate getting the deal over the line in the coming days.
The catch, however, is a shift in Chelsea’s valuation. Di Marzio reports that the west London club - who had previously been seeking £120 million - have now upped their demands to €140 million; a hardening of their position that leaves City with a gap to bridge if they are to complete what could become a new club-record signing.
Journalist Gastón Edul added on Monday evening that Manchester City would make another bid for Fernandez, but whether that fresh bid is enough to satisfy Xabi Alonso's side remains to be seen.
What is standing in Manchester City’s way?
Beyond Chelsea’s inflated €140 million valuation, relations between the two clubs are understood to have been somewhat strained by the acrimonious nature of Enzo Maresca’s departure from Stamford Bridge, and Manchester City opted against meeting an earlier deadline set by the London side to lodge a bid for Fernandez.
That pursuit has continued regardless is a measure of how highly the Argentine international is rated within the boardrooms of the Etihad Stadium.
With Nico Gonzalez close to sealing a move to Newcastle United, Di Marzio’s expectation of a resolution this week suggests the Enzo Fernandez saga is also reaching its decisive phase.
Nico González looks poised to bring his short Manchester City career to an end, with Newcastle United closing in on a deal and the midfielder reportedly giving up on his summer-long fight to stay at the club.cityxtra.co.ukNico González Closes in on Man City Exit With Newcastle Agreement Close
Nico González looks poised to bring his short Manchester City career to an end, with Newcastle United closing in on a deal and the midfielder reportedly giving up on his summer-long fight to stay at the club.
Whether Manchester City are willing to meet Chelsea’s heightened demands, or can negotiate them down, may ultimately determine if Enzo Maresca gets his man before the window slams shut.