Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was excluded from his side's matchday squad to face Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.
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Fernandez has been linked with a last-minute transfer to the Etihad Stadium to bolster Enzo Maresca's midfield beyond record signing Elliot Anderson and latest incoming Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Maresca brought the best out of Fernandez during his time as Chelsea manager, with the latter keen to reunite with his former Stamford Bridge manager in Manchester.
City are understood to have agreed personal terms over a five-year contract with Fernandez, who is valued at £120 million by Chelsea.
Officials at the Etihad Stadium are unlikely to match that figure but remain interested in a deal for the Argentina international, with Maresca spearheading City's interest in the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner ahead of Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Maresca handed a Manchester City debut to Moroccan teenage sensation Bouaddi in the second-half of his side's convincing 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
City are expected to confirm the signing of Brazilian winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras in the coming days after the 22-year-old underwent a medical in Manchester earlier this week.
Manchester City have agreed a €140 million deal with Chelsea for the signing of midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to new reports.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Fernandez to Man City: Chelsea Agree €140M Sale for Midfielder
Manchester City have agreed a €140 million deal with Chelsea for the signing of midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to new reports.
Fernandez misses latest Chelsea squad amid Man City talks
As City sporting director Hugo Viana and co navigate the final 48 hours of the transfer window, a decision needs to be made on how far they take their pursuit of Fernandez, who has given his go-ahead to join forces with Maresca in the north-west.
After missing Chelsea's Carabao Cup second round win over Luton Town earlier this week, Fernandez remained absent from Xabi Alonso's matchday squad for Sunday's 4-3 Premier League triumph over Brighton and Hove Albion.
Romeo Lavia, Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto were on the scoresheet for the west London outfit, who remain open to selling Fernandez for the right price despite having set a public deadline to sanction the wantaway midfielder's exit for a few weeks ago.
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.cityxtra.co.ukChelsea Raise Asking Price for Enzo Fernandez as Man City Target Transfer
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.
What is next for Man City and Fernandez?
Manchester City are yet to make a formal offer to Chelsea for Fernandez, who - if he were to join the sky Blues - would complete a comprehensive revamp of the club's midfield ranks since Pep Guardiola brought the curtain down on an illustrious decade at the Etihad Stadium in May.
Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva have all left over the course of a summer that has seen City take a controversial pro-sale stance to draw strong criticism from sections of their online fanbase.
Time is running out for Viana and co to make Chelsea an offer they can accept for Fernandez, who very clearly does not want to stay at Stamford Bridge and has a clear preferred destination in mind.