Manchester City are expected to go back in for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
The Blues previously set City a deadline of 5pm on August 13 to pay £120m to get the deal done – a deadline City did not meet.
But contact has continued with his agent Javier Pastore so City know the 25-year-old is open to coming and now they are set to come back in for the midfielder, who played the final half-hour of Chelsea’s 3-2 win away at Fulham on Monday night.
The Argentina midfielder shared a strong relationship with City’s new boss Enzo Maresca when he was Chelsea coach and has six years left on his contract.
However, Chelsea will now demand more than £120m as the clock ticks down on the window.
The Blues will also need to secure a replacement before agreeing to sell the Argentine.
Man City are expected to go back in for Enzo Fernandez despite missing Chelsea’s deadline
Fernandez enjoyed a strong relationship with City boss Enzo Maresca when he was at Chelsea
When asked about Fernandez’s future after the win at Craven Cottage, Xabi Alonso told BBC Match of the Day: ‘In football, I am not surprised by anything. We will see.
‘My wish is that we know what will happen for the future but we will see this week.’
Representatives of alternative midfield targets for both clubs anticipate City trying for Fernandez first before other matters can fall into place.
City have agreed to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille and are in the process of selling Nico Gonzalez to Newcastle United for £50m.
They have also agreed to sign winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras but hold interest in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo too.
Reece James and Romeo Lavia started in central midfield for Chelsea at Fulham on Monday, while Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi got the nod for City in their 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday.
