Manchester City are set for crunch talks with Chelsea as they look to complete their biggest deal of the transfer window. The Blues have already smashed their club record to bring in Elliot Anderson for £116m but will almost certainly have to go higher to sign Enzo Fernandez.
Fernandez's future at Chelsea has been uncertain all summer but the West London club have been reluctant sellers. An unofficial deadline was put in place before the start of the season where interested parties were told they must offer £120m or the player would not be leaving Stamford Bridge.
Talks expected this weekend
That has been and gone but City never lost confidence that Chelsea would be open to business for the right price and have been encouraged that agreeing terms with the player will not be an issue. Fernandez starred under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea and is keen to reunite with his former boss, who in turn needs another experienced midfielder he can count on after seeing Bernardo Silva and Rodri depart the Etihad this summer.
Despite expectations that the deal will be done, the price still needs to be set and Chelsea need to have enough time to find a replacement for Fernandez before the window officially shuts on Tuesday. Chelsea may try to hold out for more than the £120m they previously asked for but City will try to hammer out an agreement this weekend.
More incomings and exits
Those negotiations are contributing to a hectic end to the transfer window for the Blues with more incomings required and expected. Palmeiras winger Allan is putting the finishing touches to his £32m move, and another forward will be signed as well; Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and Liverpool's Cody Gakpo are among City's targets.
Jack Grealish could head back to Everton for the season and help City's attempts to sign Ndiaye. Maresca spoke with the 30-year-old on Thursday to confirm he would not be part of the travelling squad for the Palace game.
Amid several exits, City are still exploring a deal for another midfielder as well. Roma's Manu Kone is one of the names being looked at, although time is running out to complete their business and talks between Maresca and sporting director Hugo Viana will determine exactly how many deals are completed.
