Manchester City have reached an initial agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of Enzo Fernandez, with the Argentina midfielder now waiting to complete the final steps of a move to the Etihad.
Fernandez is set to reunite with Enzo Maresca, his former Chelsea manager, who is now in charge at Manchester City after replacing Pep Guardiola during the summer. The proposed switch has emerged in the final hours of the transfer window, leaving little room for delays.
Football transfer journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that an initial agreement has been reached between the two clubs. Fernandez is now expected to receive the green light for a medical before the transfer can be completed.
Chelsea had already left Fernandez out of their squad for Sunday’s match against Brighton, adding to speculation about his future. Manager Xabi Alonso refused to confirm whether the midfielder had played his final game for the London club.
“We’ll see. We want what’s best for the team, which is why we made the decision against Luton and today, and anything that happens before Tuesday evening, we need to be aware of how things will develop,” Alonso said.
The potential reunion with Maresca comes after Fernandez publicly expressed his disappointment when Chelsea dismissed the Italian in January. The midfielder said Maresca had given the team a clear identity and admitted that his departure had hurt the squad, particularly because it happened during the season.
Fernandez had also questioned the way Chelsea handled the managerial change, telling Mexican broadcaster TUDN that some decisions by the club were difficult for players to understand. His comments highlighted the strong relationship he had developed with Maresca during their time together.
With Fernandez potentially heading for Manchester, Chelsea have already begun exploring the midfield market. The London club have reportedly opened talks with Roma over Manu Koné as they consider a possible replacement for the Argentine.
