Manchester City are active in the transfer market on August 7, 2026, looking for a potential successor to Rodri and considering Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández as one of the primary alternatives. Publications such as the Spanish newspaper Marca and the Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio indicate that the Argentine player is viewed favorably by coach Enzo Maresca, with whom he has already collaborated during his time at the English capital club.
According to information from Di Marzio, Enzo Fernández represents the ideal name that the Manchester City commander seeks to strengthen the midfield sector, especially given the increasing likelihood of Rodri’s departure. The Spanish athlete is one of Barcelona’s main targets, who have intensified negotiations for a possible signing in this transfer window.
Enzo Maresca has in-depth knowledge about Enzo Fernández. Both shared a period of work at Chelsea and cultivated a good relationship. The coach believes that the player, a world champion with Argentina, could bring more experience and improve the quality of City’s midfield sector.
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The newspaper Marca adds that Enzo would be likely to analyze a possible transfer to Manchester. Chelsea, on the other hand, would be open to negotiating for the midfielder, as long as they receive an offer they consider suitable.
However, completing the negotiation is seen as a complex process. Enzo Fernández plays an essential role at Chelsea and cost the English club 121 million euros when acquired from Benfica in January 2023, a sum that the Blues will likely seek to recover in the event of a sale. To date, no official proposal has been presented by Manchester City.
In addition to the Argentine player, City is monitoring another athlete: Frenchman Ayoub Bouaddi, 18, who plays for Lille. The young man is considered an alternative with great future potential, but his inexperience in the Premier League is a factor that, in the English club’s assessment, leans in favor of Enzo Fernández.
The search for new names for the sector takes place in a scenario of uncertainty regarding Rodri’s future. Barcelona started talks to sign the Spaniard, whose project for the Catalan club pleases the player. Given this, Manchester City is already considering options if they lose one of the most important athletes in their squad.