Manchester City are 'set to send' a bid for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez before the end of the transfer window, reports Fabrizio Romano.
Fernandez did not start for the Blues as they beat local rivals Fulham 3-2 on Monday night. Instead, the Argentine was introduced from the bench, and booed every time he touched the ball.
Those boos came from the home Fulham fans, with the travelling Chelsea crowd giving the midfielder a good reception despite speculation over a move to Manchester City.
The Citizens have held an interest in Fernandez all summer, owing to former Blues boss Enzo Maresca being at the helm at the Etihad.
Suggestions are that the Italian wants to reunite with his former disciple in Manchester. While Chelsea set a deadline for the £120million exit, which passed without a bid from City, it's suggested they could yet land him.
And Romano reports City 'are set to send a formal bid before the end of the window.'
The insider adds that the Citizens 'want to try again' and that Fernandez is open to the move.
Chelsea, though, will only sell if the money is right and they can improve their squad. That will mean a bid over £120million, given the deadline for that fee passed, and the transfer would have to be completed in good enough time that the Blues can recruit a new star midfielder.
They played Reece James in the centre of the park against Fulham, and while he can certainly do a job in the midfield, it seems unlikely that Xabi Alonso will want to play him there weekly.
Xabi Alonso hopes for Enzo Fernandez revealed
Alonso, having just managed his first game as Chelsea boss, simply hopes to have an answer on Fernandez soon.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “In football, I am not surprised by anything. We will see. My wish is that we know what will happen for the future but we will see this week.”
The summer window closes on September 1, with an 11pm deadline. It could yet be a busy end to the summer for both City and Chelsea.
The Citizens have pushed out some expensive players to make room in the budget for Fernandez, and after selling Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, perhaps Nico Gonzalez soon, and Bernardo Silva exiting on a free transfer, there's seemingly a need for a new midfield signing.
