Why Fernandez uncertainty has echoes of Isak saga

Manchester City's pursuit of Enzo Fernandez is drawing comparisons to last summer's transfer saga surrounding Alexander Isak. Chelsea had initially agreed with Fernandez's agent that he could leave the club for £120m, with a deadline of August 14 for any bids. However, with no formal offers received by that date, the Blues have now told Fernandez's camp that he is not for sale in this transfer window, according to BBC Sport and Yahoo Sports.

The situation bears similarities to Isak's protracted £125m move to Liverpool last summer, which was eventually completed on transfer deadline day. Yahoo Sports and BBC Sport Football report that Manchester City, managed by Fernandez's former Chelsea boss Pep is not mentioned but Enzo Maresca, remain keen to sign the 25-year-old and believe Chelsea still want to do a deal.

Manchester City have already made several signings, including Elliot Anderson for £116m, Jeremy Monga for £12.5m, and are in talks about a £85m deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi, as per Yahoo Sports and BBC Sport Football. They are looking to bolster their midfield, with Rodri reportedly agreeing a move to Barcelona and Bernardo Silva leaving when his contract expired, as mentioned by BBC Sport Football.

Brief written by urgent.news from BBC Sport, Yahoo Sports, BBC Sport Football — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.