Man City Eyes £120m Enzo Fernandez: Maresca's Priority Target

Manchester City is reportedly gearing up to make an official bid for Chelsea’s standout midfielder, Enzo Fernandez. Manager Enzo Maresca has identified the 25-year-old Argentine international as a top priority to strengthen City’s midfield, particularly following several high-profile player departures.

Chelsea is understood to be aware of Manchester City’s interest. Earlier this summer, the London club had unofficially set a minimum price tag of £120 million for Fernandez, a deadline that has since passed. However, City is expected to make another attempt to secure the transfer before the upcoming transfer window closes next week.

If the deal materializes, Fernandez could become one of the most expensive acquisitions in Premier League history. This potential transfer follows Manchester City’s own record-breaking £116 million move for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in the same transfer window.

The urgency for Manchester City to bolster their midfield stems from the recent departures of four key players: Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, and Bernardo Silva. These sales have created significant gaps in the squad that Maresca aims to fill.

Fernandez’s time at Stamford Bridge has seen its share of speculation, including reports linking him with Real Madrid, which the Spanish club later denied. His relationship with Maresca, who previously managed him at Chelsea before moving to the Etihad, is believed to be a positive factor in potential negotiations.

Fernandez recently played as a substitute in Chelsea’s win against Fulham, where he faced some audible discontent from home supporters. After the match, he quickly headed down the tunnel, separate from his teammates and the away fans.

This move comes as Chelsea’s highest previous sale was Eden Hazard’s transfer to Real Madrid in 2019, which had a potential value reaching £150 million with add-ons.

Source: Nile Post