Man City reach decision on paying £120m for Fernandez as Chelsea £140m striker plan is revealed
Man City are prepared to meet the £120m asking price set by Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez this summer, according to reports.
The Citizens allowed Rodri to join Barcelona last Tuesday as the Spain international completed a move that could be worth €76m (£65m).
That means Man City are now short in central midfield with widespread reports on Sunday claiming they have agreed a fee to sign Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi to replace Rodri.
Man City are looking for another midfielder too with Enzo Maresca reportedly keen on bringing Chelsea star Fernandez with him to the Etihad Stadium.
Despite Man City missing the 5pm deadline on Friday 14 August set by Chelsea for any bids for Fernandez, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano revealed last week that the Citizens will test the waters before the end of the transfer window.
Romano said on his YouTube channel: “Manchester City are still thinking of Enzo Fernandez in midfield.
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“Man City are not giving up on Enzo Fernandez, even after the deadline. The deadline passed on Friday, which means that now any club interested in Enzo Fernandez, and in this case it’s Manchester City, because it’s going to be Manchester City negotiating with Chelsea, Man City know that they have to negotiate now.
“There is no longer a verbal agreement on the exit. It’s something that they have in their hands. So now it’s Chelsea deciding, it’s Chelsea evaluating the situation.
“Now it’s going to be important to understand more on this story because it’s on Chelsea to decide the price, but Manchester City are still there. Manchester City are still calling the agent of the player. Manchester City are still in contact.
“Manchester City lost the game against Arsenal and it’s very clear that Manchester City need signings. So I expect two things from Man City.
“The first one, close Ayyoub Bouaddi. Manchester City have an agreement with Bouaddi on personal terms and they are expected also to advance with Lille to close the deal in the next hours. It could be any moment. But Bouaddi is expected to go to Manchester City very soon. It’s a matter of time.
“And then Enzo Fernandez. Enzo Fernandez… I expect City to try again. Then we have to see what Chelsea will do. We have to see what the player will do.
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“Because at the moment, Chelsea still send a very clear message: ‘We are in control. We decide. And we will be happy to keep him.'”
Man City willing to pay Chelsea asking price for Fernandez
And now Football Insider have revealed that Man City are ‘ready to meet Chelsea’s lofty asking price’ for Fernandez before the transfer window shuts this summer.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke added on Football Insider‘s podcast: “Man City are rebuilding that midfield, City with Bernardo Silva leaving in summer, Rodri’s gone, Tijjani Reijnders has gone as well.
“Chelsea are open to selling Fernandez as well for the right price. That’s why they had that price tag of £120 million and the deadline of last Friday, which was a bit crazy really.
“I think there’s a willingness from Chelsea to sell Enzo Fernandez. Obviously the player is interested in a move away from Stamford Bridge as well.
“So look, I think now with City raising funds with the sale of Rodri and also the sale of Tijani Reijnders to the Saudi Pro League, they now have money to go there and strengthen the midfield.”
Chelsea have a plan to raise even more funds too by selling three strikers with The Standard (via Football Transfers) claiming that the Blues want £65m for Nicolas Jackson, £50m for Liam Delap and £25m for Marc Guiu, as they look to bring in £140m for the trio.
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