Pressure from the player's side
The Argentina midfielder has once again made clear he wants out of Stamford Bridge, with transfer reporter Nicolò Schira claiming Fernandez has asked Chelsea to sell him to City. Personal terms, per Schira, are already agreed on a contract running until 2032.
Whether Chelsea pay any attention is another matter.
There is no agreement between the clubs at this stage. Those details remain claims, and the gap between interest and a completed transfer is still considerable — not least because Schira's €130m figure is yet to be independently confirmed.
Deadline passed, interest remains
Chelsea previously slapped a £120m valuation on Fernandez and gave City a deadline earlier this month to meet it. No offer arrived before the cut-off, yet City have kept the door open.
Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that the Blues are poised to make a late move for the 25-year-old, while talkSPORT says an offer is being prepared.
The latest claim from Schira suggests Fernandez is now applying some pressure from his side, although Chelsea are under no obligation to sell one of their leading midfielders to a Premier League rival.
Maresca reunion on the cards
There is an obvious pull here beyond the money. Enzo Maresca worked with Fernandez at Stamford Bridge, and City have been reshaping their midfield following Rodri's departure this summer.
A reunion would make sense on paper. Whether Chelsea will play ball, with the window ticking down, is quite another question.