Enzo Maresca wants to bring more leadership into the Manchester City squad in the final days of the transfer window, with the club still keen on Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez.
City have seen Rodri and Bernardo Silva depart from last season's leadership group, leaving skipper Ruben Dias and striker Erling Haaland as club captains. Maresca feels there is a shortfall of leadership and wants to address that before Tuesday night's deadline.
Midfield addition and leadership shortfall
The Blues added Ayyoub Bouaddi for £85million this week to strengthen their midfield, but City won't rush the 18-year-old as he beds into a new environment. Maresca wants further additions that can offer leadership to a new and young squad.
He said: "We have experienced players, we have leaders and now we need to wait four or five more days when the transfer window closes to see if we can add one or two more captains to add to Ruben and Erling who at the moment are our two captains."
Enzo Fernandez interest
Maresca and City are keen on signing Fernandez from Chelsea, but such a deal would cost in excess of £120million. The Argentina international was in the leadership group at Stamford Bridge under Maresca last season and regularly wore the armband.
The 25-year-old would bring the kind of leadership qualities that Maresca wants, even if the boss is prepared to sacrifice experience for the right type of player and leader.
"It's not all about experience, for me age does not open or close doors," the Blues boss added. "It depends how good they are. In my former club we had the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League. In this moment we are quite young in terms of squad but we also have players with the right experience."
Other transfer developments
City have agreed a deal with Palmeiras for winger Allan, with the 22-year-old's move set to be confirmed in the next 48 hours.
Omar Marmoush's switch to Tottenham is also set to be ratified, with a loan move plus a £60million obligation to buy agreed between the two clubs.
The future of Jack Grealish remains uncertain, with the winger having come off the bench in the season-opening win over Bournemouth. He is poised to be involved in the matchday squad at Crystal Palace amid interest from Sunderland, while Everton remain keen on the 30-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
