Manchester City have endured a difficult start to life under Enzo Maresca, with the pressure already on the new boss to strengthen his squad before the Premier League season gets fully underway.
City’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal provided little encouragement, and Maresca made it clear afterwards that he wants reinforcements through the door as quickly as possible.
Maresca made his frustration clear afterwards, telling reporters: “Any new signing, the sooner they arrive the better because we are starting the Premier League in one week.”
One of the players he knows particularly well from his Chelsea days could be high on City’s list, but time is running out to get a deal done.
Man City Learn Fernández Price Tag
Manchester City could now have to pay more than £120 million to prise Enzo Fernández away from Chelsea, according to The Telegraph.
City had been exploring a move for the Argentina international, but Chelsea’s deadline for written offers of £120m passed last Friday without an acceptable proposal arriving.
That has strengthened the Blues’ position. If City return for Fernández during the final weeks of the window, they will have to negotiate a fresh agreement and potentially improve on the terms that were previously available.
Chelsea remain hopeful that the midfielder will stay at Stamford Bridge for the 2026/27 campaign, particularly after their deadline passed. He returned from the bench against Real Sociedad in pre-season, although some supporters booed him.
The situation could also make replacing Fernández considerably more difficult. Chelsea have already identified Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as one possible option, but the Cherries have maintained that he is not for sale.
Fernández was described as “fantastic” by Maresca during their time together at Chelsea, and the City boss clearly knows exactly what the midfielder can offer.
For now, though, Chelsea hold the cards — and City may need to break the £120m barrier if they want to reunite Maresca with his former player.
