Man City to make offer for £120m-rated Enzo Fernandez

Manchester City is preparing to make an initial bid for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to recent reports. The Argentina international has been earmarked as a priority target by City manager Enzo Maresca as part of their efforts to strengthen the midfield following several high-profile departures. Chelsea has been made aware of City's interest, but the Premier League champions had previously set a deadline earlier this summer for a minimum fee of £120 million, which has now passed.

Despite this, City is expected to submit another offer before the transfer window closes next week. Enzo Fernandez, 25, could become one of the most expensive signings in Premier League history, surpassing Liverpool's £125 million transfer for Alexander Isak last year. The Argentina midfielder has a cordial relationship with Maresca, who joined City in June after leaving Chelsea in a highly publicized departure.

This move could mark City's second record-breaking transfer within the same window, following their £116 million acquisition of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. Four major midfield departures have occurred at Chelsea, including Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah for £52 million, Rodri to Barcelona for £65 million, Nico Gonzalez to Newcastle for £52 million, and Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid.

Fernandez's situation at Chelsea has been turbulent, with the player and his agent, Javier Pastore, previously expressing interest in Real Madrid, only for the Spanish club to deny involvement. The interest intensified after Chelsea's exit from the Champions League to PSG in March, leading to Fernandez's growing criticism of the club.

In a recent match against Fulham, he was met with boos from the home crowd after helping England exit the World Cup. Despite this, Fernandez maintained a positive relationship with Maresca, who was instrumental in his move to City. If successful, this potential signing could set a new benchmark for expensive transfers in the Premier League, following Liverpool's record £125 million deal for Alexander Isak.