A new era at Manchester City began with Pep Guardiola’s departure after ten years and the arrival of Enzo Maresca, but what remains unchanged is the amount of money being spent on new signings. This summer is particularly significant because the club is turning a new page: Bernardo Silva and John Stones have left, Rodri is also on his way out, and City now have to build a new team. But does that mean City have to spend more than 100 million euros on a transfer for the third time this year? According to media reports across Europe, Enzo Maresca is dreaming of bringing in Enzo Fernandez before the end of the transfer window. However, that will be far from an easy task, as Chelsea have no intention of simply letting the Argentine midfielder leave. It is therefore hardly surprising that sources at Stamford Bridge have informally indicated that they are demanding a fee of at least 140 million. The message from the club’s hierarchy is clear: they would like Fernandez to remain at the club beyond this transfer window.
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Maresca’s desire to sign the Argentine midfielder has existed practically since the moment he took over from Guardiola at City and is not directly linked to Rodri’s departure. Nevertheless, Fernandez would certainly be a direct replacement for Rodri, who is on course to join Barcelona in a deal worth more than 50 million euros, with only an agreement between the clubs still needed. Maresca and Fernandez enjoyed an excellent working relationship at Chelsea, which is where the desire to reunite comes from. On the other hand, The Athletic reports that City are also considering how to fill the vacancy that would be created by the likely departure of Tijjani Reijnders. Several Premier League clubs are interested, as are clubs from Saudi Arabia.
Reijnders’ departure would further pave the way for Enzo’s arrival. Everything is now in the hands of Chelsea’s hierarchy. It is clear that the Argentine had a below-par season, while his public criticism of the club further weakened his position. That led to widespread speculation that he could move to Real Madrid, with his agent reportedly pushing for the transfer. Manchester City have already paid 135 million to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, plus 36.7 million euros for two left-wingers, Matisse Deturbe from Troyes and Jeremy Mungu from Leicester. They have also agreed a deal for Lille’s Moroccan wonderkid Ayoub Bouaddi, for a fee of 100 million. That puts City’s spending at 275 million euros, while a potential deal for Enzo Fernandez would take the total to a staggering 415 million. It would also be the most expensive transfer of the current transfer window.
