Enzo Fernandez (foto: Getty Images)
Manchester City have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez, with the £137m transfer now racing towards the 11pm deadline.
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Enzo Fernandez is on the verge of completing a sensational deadline-day move from Chelsea to Manchester City after the two Premier League giants reportedly reached an agreement in principle.
City opened direct club-to-club negotiations on Monday and have now made the breakthrough they were looking for. According to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the proposed deal is worth around £137m, which would make Fernandez the most expensive transfer between Premier League clubs.
The 25-year-old Argentine is now waiting for permission to undergo his medical, with all parties working against the clock to complete the transfer before the 11 pm deadline.
Fernandez set for Maresca reunion
A move to the Etihad would reunite Fernandez with Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager this summer. The midfielder made no secret of his admiration for Maresca after Chelsea surprisingly dismissed the Italian in January.
"I don't understand it. Sometimes there are things that we as players don't understand, how and in what way they try to manage things," Fernandez said at the time. "It was a departure that hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season. We had an identity. He gave us an order and always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing."
The possibility of Fernandez leaving Stamford Bridge had increased significantly after Xabi Alonso left him out of Chelsea's squads against Luton and Brighton. Asked whether the World Cup winner had already played his final match for the club, Alonso refused to offer any guarantees.
"We'll see. We are not sure; we are preparing for all the scenarios, but I am sure that whatever happens from Wednesday we will have a good enough squad to compete," the Chelsea coach said.
Chelsea have already been preparing for the possibility of losing Fernandez and have held talks over a move for Roma midfielder Manu Kone as a potential replacement.
Everything now depends on the final hours of the transfer window. If the medical and paperwork are completed in time, Fernandez will leave Chelsea for Manchester City in a blockbuster £137m deal and reunite with the manager whose departure from Stamford Bridge he publicly criticised.