The night before the transfer window shut, it seemed it would close with Enzo Fernandez still at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were asking for £135m. It was more than Manchester City were prepared to pay. It took negotiations on 1 September to bring the price down to £125m, still a joint British transfer record and a deal that took the amount committed to buying players either to or from City this summer to around three quarters of a billion.
Had Chelsea not reduced their demands – which may be seen as an indication of their willingness to get rid of Fernandez, especially when their attempt to replace him with Monaco's Lamine Camara broke down – City might not have signed a third midfielder.
Instead, they completed a £326m revamp in the centre of the pitch. There were several pertinent elements. The £116m buy Elliot Anderson was always their first choice to replace captain Bernardo Silva, who was leaving when his contract expired and who then joined Real Madrid. City took added satisfaction from knowing some of their rivals wanted Anderson, including Manchester United.
Enzo Fernandez completed a £125m move to Manchester City on deadline day (Reuters)
The £85m arrival Ayyoub Bouaddi is seen as a player with the attributes to be world class and who, despite being only 18, is expected to play a lot of games this season. The Morocco international, who is studying for a maths degree, is regarded as belonging to the tradition of intelligent midfielders at City. Significantly, perhaps, City feel he is the only specialist No 6 in their squad.

#fernandez #took #Chelsea #anderson