Enzo Maresca declined to confirm whether Manchester City would move to sign Enzo Fernández before Chelsea’s self-imposed deadline, keeping his answer deliberately vague when asked directly about the Argentine midfielder’s future.
Speaking ahead of City’s friendly clash with Atlético Madrid, the Italian coach said: “He is a player from another club and I don’t think it’s correct to talk about other players“.
Pressed further on whether City would get a deal done before Chelsea‘s deadline on Friday, Maresca offered little reassurance: “Not today to be honest, I don’t think we’re going to do something today.”
According to Fabrizio Romano, that caution proved well-founded. Chelsea did not receive any official bid for Fernández before their own deadline passed, and the club has since informed the player’s camp that the £120 million verbal exit clause is now off the table. Chelsea are said to consider Fernández no longer available at that figure and remain happy to continue with him as part of their squad.
The update marks a significant shift in the saga. What looked like a live pursuit just days earlier, with City maintaining regular dialogue with Fernández’s representatives, now appears to have stalled at the finish line, with Chelsea moving to shut the door on any deal at the previously agreed price.
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Maresca also addresses Rodri’s situation
Maresca was also asked about Rodri’s ongoing transfer saga with Barcelona, offering a similarly guarded response. “I’ve just seen Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug. He looks good. So, we’ll see what happens,” he said, stopping short of confirming whether the Spanish midfielder remains part of his plans going forward.
According to The Independent, City have grown “baffled and frustrated” by Barcelona’s approach to the negotiation, with the Catalan club’s £60 million bid falling well short of City’s own £70 million valuation of the World Cup winner.
That gap appears to be narrowing, though. According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are set to submit a third bid for Rodri, this time proposing a fee roughly halfway between €60 million and City’s €80 million valuation. Both Barcelona and Rodri’s camp are reportedly confident an agreement can still be reached with City, with talks now described as underway.
