The summer transfer window is nearing its close, and Manchester City have become extremely active in an attempt to replace outgoing players. Amongst the club’s notable signings is Ayyoub Bouaddi, coming in from Lille for £86 million. As the club looks to boost the depth of their midfield, Enzo Fernandez’s transfer to Manchester City looks glaringly imminent.
After securing the signature of 18-year-old wonderkid Bouaddi, City have resumed talks with Fernandez, his camp, and agent Javier Pastore. As the transfer window closure gets closer, it’s still very much possible for Fernandez to become a City player. However, there’s been no official club-to-club communication since Chelsea set the deadline for Enzo Fernandez’s transfer to Manchester City at £120 million (€140m), which City weren’t willing to pay.
It’s even suggested Chelsea intends to increase the fee of the deal to a much higher amount than first expected. This is a very clear stance that Chelsea do not intend to sell the player, let alone to a rival club. Despite this, the Cityzens are still very much in the books to sign the player, as @SamLee reports, although Chelsea remain stagnant with their price.
However, if Chelsea were to reduce the transfer fee for the midfielder, Enzo Fernandez’s transfer to Manchester City will likely happen, as Enzo Maresca has been calling for the player’s presence in recent times.
Enzo Fernandez’s Transfer To Manchester City: Is The Midfielder Paying His Last Respects?
It’s clear Fernandez intends to become a City player in no distant time, and it appears he may be pushing hard to leave Chelsea, as it’s understood his agent is working tirelessly to ensure this deal comes to fruition.
Fernandez returned to Chelsea after the World Cup on August 11 ahead of the pre-season game against Real Sociedad on August 15. Xabi Alonso noted that the player displayed a very positive outlook in training ahead of their match against Fulham. However, after that match, Fernandez could be seen walking down the tunnel as fans booed him
Although the Enzo Fernandez transfer to Manchester City looks imminent, it’s reported that Barcelona has made an inquiry into the player’s availability. However, the ex-Benfica player has rejected the idea of joining the Catalan club, and his stance is clear: it is either City or Real Madrid.
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Why Enzo Fernandez’s Transfer To Manchester City Will Not Sit Well For Chelsea
Although Enzo Maresca might benefit a huge deal from his signing, Enzo Fernandez’s transfer to Manchester City may not sit well for Chelsea. Here’s the gist: the Blues selling him to City this late may put the two-time UEFA Champions League winners in a position where they can’t adequately replace the Argentine.
Currently, Chelsea will turn their attention to AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, although the club has stated he is not for sale. Chelsea also have their eyes on Kees Smith from AZ Alkmaar and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton in case Enzo Fernandez’s transfer to Manchester City deal pushes through. However, Palace are also unwilling to let their English midfielder leave.
Additionally, selling Fernandez to a strong rival like City only means one thing: City’s team gets strengthened, and this is no good news for Chelsea, who are looking to challenge for their sixth Premier League title.
More so, Enzo Fernandez is a player who knows the nooks and crannies of the Premier League, having stayed at Chelsea for approximately three years and seven months. Enzo Fernandez’s transfer to Manchester City would mean letting go of a player who understands the nitty-gritty of the club and the league, and letting go of one of their leaders.
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