Manchester City are preparing to make an opening offer for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The Argentina international is a priority target for manager Enzo Maresca, who aims to bolster his midfield following several high-profile departures from the club.
Chelsea are aware of City's interest and had previously set an unofficial deadline for a deal to be completed earlier this summer, with a minimum fee of £120m. City are expected to make another attempt to sign the 25-year-old before next week's transfer deadline.
Should the deal go through, Fernandez could become one of the most expensive signings in Premier League history, potentially surpassed only by Liverpool's £125m acquisition of Alexander Isak last summer. This could also mark the second time City break their transfer record in the same window, having already paid £116m for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
City have seen four major midfield departures, including Rodri to Barcelona for £65m and Bernardo Silva joining Real Madrid. Fernandez, who signed for Chelsea in 2023 for £107m, has reportedly had a turbulent period at Stamford Bridge.