It is a move that has been simmering all summer, and now it appears to be coming to the boil.

Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Chelsea are set to make a final decision on whether to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City, with the transfer window entering its final days. The Argentine midfielder, who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge all summer, was left out of the squad for Thursday's Carabao Cup win over Luton Town, a 2-0 victory that came without him even on the bench.

That omission, coming just a day after manager Xabi Alonso had declared the player available, has only added to the sense that his time in west London is drawing to a close.

"It's also important to say that Enzo Fernandez is not even on the Chelsea bench today," Romano said in his early Friday morning update. "Xabi Alonso decides not to proceed with Enzo Fernandez."

Fernandez's relationship with the Chelsea support has been strained since last season, when he was disciplined for comments about a potential move to Real Madrid. He was booed by his own fans during a pre-season friendly upon his return from the World Cup, and from that point, an exit has felt increasingly inevitable.

The question now is less about whether he leaves, and more about where he ends up. Reports in Argentina have suggested a deal has already been agreed, while widespread reports indicate City will match Chelsea's £120m asking price before the window shuts.

Romano's update suggests the two clubs are still some distance apart, but that talks are ongoing. City are in daily contact with the player's agents, and direct discussions with Chelsea are expected imminently.

Fernandez Has Already Given His Green Light

According to Romano, the 24-year-old has already made his feelings clear.

"At the beginning of the week, I already told you that Enzo Fernandez gave the green light to Manchester City," Romano said. "Enzo said, 'I'm ready to come. I'm open to joining your project. I'm open to rejoining Enzo Maresca.' The contract will be OK, so Enzo is ready."

That last line will be of particular interest to City supporters, given Maresca's history with the midfielder from their time together at Chelsea. The personal terms appear straightforward. The stumbling block, as ever, is the fee.

Chelsea, for their part, are holding firm. They want the right money, and they want to know that any sale will help them improve their own squad before the window closes.

"Chelsea maintain their position: it has to be the right money and it has to be money that will help Chelsea to improve the squad," Romano said. "They don't want to sell a player with three or four days left in the window and have no idea what to do afterwards."

That is a reasonable stance, though it does rather leave the door open. If City can get the deal done early enough, Chelsea would still have time to reinvest. If not, the whole thing could drag to the wire.

Ndiaye and Gakpo on City's Radar

Fernandez is not the only item on City's agenda. The club are also hoping to bring in a new winger, with Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and Liverpool's Cody Gakpo both under consideration.

Ndiaye, who has turned down moves to Al-Hilal and another Saudi club this summer, wants to stay in the Premier League. City, who enjoy a strong relationship with his agents, are working hard to make that happen.

The intriguing wrinkle is that a swap deal could be on the cards, with Jack Grealish potentially heading in the opposite direction.

"Manchester City are working on the Iliman Ndiaye deal," Romano added. "The swap deal is possible, with Jack Grealish potentially going back to Everton. Everton are ready to include Jack Grealish in a conversation for Iliman Ndiaye."

Reports linking Grealish with Sunderland have been dismissed. Aston Villa, his former club, are also mentioned as a possibility, but the most concrete solution at this stage appears to be the Everton deal.

City have also held a meeting with Gakpo's representatives, and have called again about Pedro Neto in recent days. For now, though, the Ndiaye deal with Grealish involved looks the most likely to progress.