Manchester City are ****** sing the possibility of signing Enzo Fernandez as contingency planning intensifies around Rodri's expected departure to Spain, with Independent reporting growing movement behind the scenes.
The situation appears to be developing on multiple fronts. City are preparing for a major midfield reshuffle after Rodri became keen on a move to Barcelona, ahead of Real Madrid, following his latest international success with Spain. There is also the wider context of Bernardo Silva leaving for Real Madrid, while Elliot Anderson has already arrived in a £116m transfer from Nottingham Forest.
That combination has pushed City into the market for another central option, and Fernandez is firmly under consideration. He is well known to head coach Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with the Argentina international at Chelsea before taking charge at the Etihad this summer.
City's interest makes clear football sense. Fernandez has the technical range, energy and tactical flexibility to operate in several midfield roles. The report notes that he has "mostly switched between roles as a No 10 and a box-to-box midfielder", while City may also see scope to deploy him deeper when required.
There are, however, obvious complications. Chelsea "still value the player in the region of £120 million", a figure that would test even City's capacity for aggressive market action. Fernandez also arrives with a slightly mixed recent profile. He "endured a mixed World Cup", producing decisive moments during Argentina's run while also suffering "ill discipline in the final".
#real
The situation appears to be developing on multiple fronts. City are preparing for a major midfield reshuffle after Rodri became keen on a move to Barcelona, ahead of Real Madrid, following his latest international success with Spain. There is also the wider context of Bernardo Silva leaving for Real Madrid, while Elliot Anderson has already arrived in a £116m transfer from Nottingham Forest.
That combination has pushed City into the market for another central option, and Fernandez is firmly under consideration. He is well known to head coach Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with the Argentina international at Chelsea before taking charge at the Etihad this summer.
City's interest makes clear football sense. Fernandez has the technical range, energy and tactical flexibility to operate in several midfield roles. The report notes that he has "mostly switched between roles as a No 10 and a box-to-box midfielder", while City may also see scope to deploy him deeper when required.
There are, however, obvious complications. Chelsea "still value the player in the region of £120 million", a figure that would test even City's capacity for aggressive market action. Fernandez also arrives with a slightly mixed recent profile. He "endured a mixed World Cup", producing decisive moments during Argentina's run while also suffering "ill discipline in the final".
#real
1 day ago
