Man City chase Enzo Fernandez in £120m-plus crunch talks as four deals loom before deadline

Manchester City are pushing to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with crunch talks between the two clubs set for this weekend over a fee expected to exceed £120m.

Fernandez’s future at Stamford Bridge has been in doubt throughout the summer, but Chelsea have resisted selling. An informal deadline was set before the season began — interested clubs were told they needed to offer at least £120m or the deal was off — yet that threshold passed without a resolution. City never abandoned hope, and have been encouraged that personal terms with Fernandez will not be a sticking point. The Argentine is keen to reunite with Enzo Maresca, his former Chelsea boss, who needs experienced midfield cover after losing both Bernardo Silva and Rodri this summer.

Chelsea may now push for a figure above their original £120m asking price, but City intend to reach an agreement before the window shuts. The Blues also need Chelsea to move quickly enough to find a replacement for Fernandez in the time remaining.

The Fernandez pursuit is one of several deals City are trying to complete simultaneously. Palmeiras winger Allan is finalising a £32m move, and at least one more forward is expected to arrive. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo are among the attacking targets being considered.

Jack Grealish is meanwhile in line for a season-long return to Everton, a move that could smooth the path for City to sign Ndiaye. Manager Maresca spoke with the 30-year-old on Thursday to inform him he would not be included in the travelling squad for the Crystal Palace fixture.

City are also exploring a deal for another midfielder, with Roma’s Manu Kone among the names under consideration. Talks between Maresca and sporting director Hugo Viana will ultimately determine how many of the potential moves are completed before the deadline.