Fabrizio Romano issues update on Man City pursuit of Enzo Fernandez after Real Madrid snub

By admin — In News — July 8, 2026

   ​There has been no further movement between Enzo Fernandez and Manchester City regarding a potential transfer, and any additional discussions are likely to wait until after the FIFA World Cup concludes. A move to the Etihad Stadium would see Fernandez reunite with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who is now in charge of City’s midfield development. At this stage, Manchester City have not held talks to explore a summer swoop for the Chelsea and Argentina midfielder, according to a fresh report.
In the summer window, Manchester City did make a major splash by bringing Enzo Maresca to the club to guide his first season in the dugout at the Etihad. The standout signing in terms of fees was the acquisition of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, a deal that has seen City invest a club-record sum of £116 million for the 23-year-old England international midfielder, surpassing their previous record paid for Jack Grealish, which stood at £100 million in 2021.
Requests or discussions regarding Enzo Fernandez moving to City have reportedly been shut down by people at the Etihad, particularly in light of the ongoing interest in Fernandez and links to a potential move away from Chelsea this summer. While the idea of a transfer to Manchester City would mark a fresh start for the Argentinian midfielder, it would also present a reunion with Maresca, who coached Fernandez for a year and a half at Chelsea.
In his time at Chelsea, Fernandez showed considerable promise under Maresca, delivering 13 goal involvements across 36 appearances in all competitions for the southwest London club. Despite early speculation linking him with a move to City, there has not been any substantive progression in talks beyond that initial chatter, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano. Romano reports that negotiations are unlikely to advance until Fernandez’s duties at the World Cup have concluded, reinforcing the idea that his future will be settled after the global tournament ends.
Fernandez’s World Cup journey has already had a significant impact on his career trajectory. He played a key role in Chelsea’s setup before moving to the Premier League, and he later secured a high-profile transfer that underscored his status as a sought-after talent. He was part of a marquee transfer window, which saw City bolster their squad in an effort to remain competitive on multiple fronts. The timing of any potential move, therefore, hinges on the conclusion of international duties and a careful assessment of City’s evolving midfield needs.
City’s interest in Fernandez is understandable in the context of a broader strategic shift following the departure of Bernardo Silva, who contributed as a central offensive engine for Pep Guardiola’s system for nine seasons before moving on to Real Madrid. With Silva’s exit, City may be seeking reinforcements who can provide the same level of creativity, box-to-box energy, and versatility that Silva offered. Fernandez’s skill set—combining technical ability, vision, and goal involvement—would potentially align well with Guardiola’s philosophy, should a concrete offer be considered once Fernández is back from international duty.
At this juncture, the club’s public stance remains cautious, and insiders emphasize that any deal would likely materialize only after Fernandez completes his World Cup campaign. Given the proximity of the tournament’s conclusion and the summer transfer window’s own timeline, City’s staff would be weighing several factors: Fernandez’s form at the World Cup, Chelsea’s asking price, the player’s own willingness to move, contract implications, and how he would fit into City’s midfield rotation alongside Maresca’s evolving plans for the squad.
In summary, there has been no incremental progress in talks between Manchester City and Enzo Fernandez beyond the initial period of interest. The situation is poised to be re-evaluated after the World Cup, when City’s leadership can reassess their midfield options in light of Fernandez’s performances on the global stage and Chelsea’s stance on any potential transfer. Until then, any potential move to the Etihad remains speculative, with no concrete negotiations currently underway.  

Content Source: Yahoo News

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