Manchester City step up late move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez

Manchester City have reached a preliminary agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of Enzo Fernandez, with the proposed deal nearing completion in the final hours before the transfer window closes.

According to British newspaper The Sun, City opened direct negotiations with their Premier League rivals on Monday over a move for the 25-year-old midfielder.

Fernandez is now waiting for permission to undergo a medical, which would represent the next major step towards completing the transfer. However, the Argentina international faces a race against time, with the transfer deadline set for 23:00 local time on Tuesday.

Italian football journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has also reported that Manchester City have reached an initial agreement for Fernandez.

The move would see Fernandez reunited with Enzo Maresca, his former Chelsea manager. Maresca succeeded Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager during the summer and is now in charge at the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea and their manager, Xabi Alonso, have declined to comment publicly on Fernandez’s future. The midfielder was left out of the Chelsea squad for Sunday’s match against Brighton.

Asked whether the World Cup winner had played his final game for the London club, Alonso said: “We will see… We want the best for the team, and that is why we made the decision against Luton and today. Whatever happens before Tuesday evening, we need to be aware of what develops.”

He added: “We are not sure. We are preparing for all scenarios, but I am sure that whatever happens from Wednesday onwards, we will have a squad good enough to compete in all Premier League matches.”

Fernandez previously criticised Chelsea’s management after Maresca was dismissed in January.

Speaking to Mexican broadcaster TUDN, Fernandez said: “I don’t understand it. Sometimes there are things that we players do not understand, and how and in what way they are trying to manage things.”

He continued: “Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, because it cuts everything off suddenly.”

Fernandez also praised the structure Maresca had brought to the team, saying: “We had an identity. He gave us a system, although because of the nature of football, things are sometimes good and sometimes bad. But he always had a very clear identity when it came to coaching and playing.”

Chelsea have meanwhile started discussions with Roma over a possible move for midfielder Manu Kone, who is being considered as a potential replacement for Fernandez.

The proposed transfer remains subject to the completion of the medical and the necessary formalities before Tuesday night’s deadline.