Enzo Maresca makes Manchester City's Enzo Fernandez stance clear as Chelsea deadline looms
· Yahoo Sports
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has acknowledged that the club will not be submitting a bid for Enzo Fernandez by 5pm on Friday local time - despite Chelsea issuing them a deadline.
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The Blues are seeking clarification on whether their Argentine midfielder will remain at the club for the upcoming season and, in a bid to gain some certainty, made it clear that any interested parties would need to submit an offer by the close of play on Friday.
Fernandez has been strongly linked with a switch to Real Madrid and expressed his desire to reside in the Spanish capital last season, which resulted in him being reprimanded. Los Blancos have publicly declared they have no interest in signing him, but City's connection with the player and Maresca has fueled speculation of a move to the Etihad, via The Mirror.
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Chelsea would demand £120 million ($162.6 million) before entertaining any deal, which would represent a club-record signing for City. However, Maresca conceded that the Manchester club will not be tabling an offer before the end of the day.
He said: "Not today to be honest, I don't think we're going to do something today."
City's urgency to act could still be driven by Rodri's situation, with the Spaniard entering the final year of his contract. Rodri has returned to Manchester following his FIFA World Cup triumph, for which he was crowned the tournament's best player.
He has been a cornerstone of City's achievements under Pep Guardiola but, as they enter a new era, the Ballon d'Or winner may opt to return to his homeland. Real Madrid have harbored a long-standing interest, but Barcelona have surged ahead of them in the running and have had bids turned down.
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City are believed to be demanding £70 million ($94.9 million) should they decide to sell — and Maresca has done little to silence the speculation surrounding Rodri's potential exit.
The Italian stated: "As I have already said, the window is open. We can buy players, sell players. Anything can happen. I just saw Rodri now in the building, I just gave him a big hug and we will see what happens."
Tijjani Reijnders is heading to Saudi Arabia for £52 million ($70.5 million) following a challenging debut season in Manchester, while Bernardo Silva has already departed after his contract expired.
City have been forced to overhaul their midfield, with Elliot Anderson already secured in a club-record deal from Nottingham Forest. The club are also reportedly on the verge of completing the £85 million ($115.2 million) acquisition of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, who impressed with Morocco at the World Cup.