Manchester City have started negotiations with Chelsea over a possible transfer for Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with the move shaping up to become one of the biggest stories of deadline day.
Chelsea are believed to value the 25 year old at no less than £120 million, meaning City will need to make a huge financial commitment if they want to take him to the Etihad Stadium.
City boss Enzo Maresca knows Fernandez well from their time together at Stamford Bridge and is reportedly eager to reunite with the Argentina international. Fernandez is also understood to be willing to consider the switch, leaving an agreement between the clubs as the main hurdle.
Should Chelsea accept an offer, completing the transfer is not expected to be complicated, with personal terms unlikely to cause problems.
City had shown interest earlier in the summer, although formal negotiations only began close to the transfer deadline. Chelsea had previously indicated they would only consider a sale for at least £120 million.
A deal around that figure would place Fernandez among the costliest players in Premier League history. Liverpool paid £125 million for Alexander Isak last summer, while City have already spent a club record £116 million on Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest during the current window.
Maresca has overseen major changes to City’s midfield. Tijjani Reijnders joined Al Qadsiah for £52 million, Barcelona paid £65 million for Rodri, Newcastle agreed a £52 million move for Nico Gonzalez, while Bernardo Silva joined Real Madrid earlier in the summer.
Fernandez’s Chelsea future has also attracted attention following the club’s Champions League exit against Paris Saint Germain in March.
Real Madrid were previously linked with the midfielder, although the Spanish giants publicly denied making an approach.
With both Fernandez and Maresca seemingly interested in working together again, attention now turns to whether City can meet Chelsea’s asking price before the window closes.
