Could today be the day that decides potentially one of the biggest transfers in history? Chelsea set a deadline of Friday at for offers for Manchester City target Enzo Fernandez, who they value at £120m. The potential move would see the Argentina midfielder link up again with new City boss Enzo Maresca, who was formerly his manager at Chelsea.
"I don't think we're going to do something today," said Maresca when asked in a news conference on Friday if they were likely to do imminent transfer business. But that does not mean they will not start to make their move behind closed doors. City have already made a big-money midfield signing this summer in Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson for £116m.
A potential deal for Fernandez seems to rely on City selling Spain midfielder Rodri, officially the best player at the 2026 World Cup among numerous other accolades, to Barcelona. And it could increase the potential beef between City and Chelsea following Maresca's move this summer. The main contenders to replace Rodri at Man City How Maresca's Man City are shaping up compared with Guardiola 'We should take the money and run' - fans on Fernandez deadline The answer to the question is yes.
City are not planning to sign Fernandez if Spanish World Cup-winner Rodri stays. Defensive midfielder Rodri has been a crucial part of City's success in recent years, helping them win the 2022-23 Treble - including scoring the winner in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. The 30-year-old has played 298 times, lifting a total of four league titles, plus several cups - and winning the Ballon d'Or.
Rodri wants to return to his native Spain and join Barcelona - with Real Madrid having dropped out of the chase - and City are asking for 80m euros (£68.4m). But Barca's opening bid for a player out of contract next summer was only £38.5m. BBC Sport's Simon Stone says the Rodri and Fernandez deals happening are dependent on each other - but do not need to go through at the same time.
If City knew Rodri was going it would enable them to make a bid for Fernandez. And it is possible he could even sign before Rodri is ready to play again after a minor back procedure. Maresca is clearly a huge fan of Fernandez, having made him Chelsea captain when Reece James was injured.
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