Manchester City are set to make an opening offer for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentina international has been identified by manager Enzo Maresca as a priority target to bolster City’s midfield after a series of high-profile exits.
Chelsea are aware of City’s interest and set an unofficial deadline for the deal to be completed earlier this summer at a minimum fee of £120m only for that date to pass.
Nevertheless, City are expected to return with another attempt to sign the 25-year-old before next week’s transfer deadline.
Despite the situation, Fernandez remains available for selection for Chelsea‘s game against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, amid an injury to midfielder Moises Caicedo.
“Yes, we expect that he’s involved. He’s trained, he’s training really well, he’s a good professional and he will be involved,” Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said.
He added: “We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities, he has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let’s see how things develop.”
Fernandez could become one of the most expensive signings in Premier League history, behind only Liverpool’s £125m move for Alexander Isak last summer.
Fernandez maintains a positive relationship with Maresca, who left Chelsea in controversial fashion on New Year’s Day and moved to Etihad Stadium in June.
Credit: bbc.com
