Man City open talks with Chelsea to sign Fernandez
Manchester City have opened direct club-to-club talks with Chelsea to sign Enzo Fernandez, according to Sky in Italy.
Enzo Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica for £107m in 2023; the Argentine played in Chelsea's first game of the season against Fulham but was not involved against Luton in the Carabao Cup and left out when they faced Brighton; Fernandez has made clear he wants to move to Man City
Manchester City have opened direct club-to-club talks with Chelsea to sign Enzo Fernandez, with the Argentina international making it clear that he wants to make the move.
Sky Sports News reported that Chelsea were prepared to sell Fernandez to Manchester City for the right price - and if they can improve their squad before the window closes.
There is now increasing hope that Fernandez gets his wish on Deadline Day in a move that would see the midfielder reunited with former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca.
Man City's interest in Fernandez remained despite missing Chelsea's August 14 deadline to bid for him.
Chelsea had agreed with Fernandez's representatives that he could be sold for £120m by that deadline, but an offer never arrived.
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Reinforcing central midfield has become an even bigger priority for City following Rodri's departure to Barcelona earlier this month.
Nico Gonzalez has also left to join Newcastle in a transfer worth up to £50m, with Tijjani Reijnders recently departing for Al Qadsiah for £51m. Bernardo Silva left City following the expiry of his contract and has since joined Real Madrid.
City have completed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille with the midfielder moving to the Etihad Stadium for £86m in a world-record deal for a teenager.
England international Elliot Anderson joined City in a £116m deal from Nottingham Forest in July.
Sky in Italy reported on the morning of Deadline Day that Chelsea were close to an agreement with Roma to sign France midfielder Manu Kone for a fee of around £52m.
The clubs had also advanced on Roma taking Jamie Gittens on loan from Chelsea, but Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini made clear he wanted to keep Kone from Chelsea's clutches.
Negotiations continue for both Kone and Jamie Gittens on loan to Roma, but Gasperini's reluctance to let Kone go is an obstacle to overcome. Gasperini pushed for Kone to stay when he arrived as head coach and was instrumental in securing the France midfielder's immediate future there.
Roma are working on either AC Milan midfielder Youssef Fofana or Marseille's Pierre Emile Hojbjerg to potentially replace Kone.
Monaco subsequetly rejected a £38.5m (€45m) bid from Chelsea for Lamine Camara.
On top of Camara and Kone, Chelsea are also looking at midfield options in the Premier League.
Chelsea's plan is to bring in one midfielder if Fernandez leaves.
