Man City respond to Chelsea's Fernandez transfer deadline as Maresca's view clear

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca admits the club will not be bidding for Enzo Fernandez by 5pm on Friday - despite Chelsea setting them a deadline.

The Blues want to know whether their Argentine midfielder will be at the club for the upcoming season and, in an effort to gain some clarity, made it clear that any interested parties would have to bid by the close of play on Friday.

Fernandez has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid and talked up his desire to live in the Spanish capital last season, which saw him reprimanded. Los Blancos have publicly stated they don't want to sign him, but City and the player's links with Maresca have led to talk of a move to the Etihad.

Chelsea would want £120million before they considered doing business, which would represent a club-record buy for City. But Maresca concedes that the Manchester outfit will not be offering a bid before the day is out.

He said: "Not today to be honest, I don’t think we’re going to do something today."

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City's need to act could still be motivated by Rodri's next move with the Spaniard into the final year of his contract. Rodri has returned to Manchester off the back of winning the World Cup and being named the tournament's best player. He has been a pillar of City's success under Pep Guardiola but, as they embark on a new era, the Ballon d'Or winner could choose to return to his homeland.

Real Madrid have had a long-term interest but Barcelona have leaped ahead of them in the pecking order and have seen bids rejected. City are thought to be seeking £70million if they do sell up - and Maresca has done little to quieten the noise regarding Rodri's potential departure.

The Italian claimed: "As I have already said, the window is open. We can buy players, sell players. Anything can happen. I just saw Rodri now in the building, I just gave him a big hug and we will see what happens."

Tijjani Reijnders is moving to Saudi Arabia for £52m after a difficult first year in Manchester and Bernardo Silva has already left following the expiry of his contract.

City have had to revamp their midfield and Elliot Anderson has already signed in a club-record deal from Nottingham Forest. The club are also reportedly closing in on the £85m signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, who excelled with Morocco at the World Cup.

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