Man City Eye Enzo Fernandez Despite £86m Bouaddi Signing, Says Enzo Maresca

Man City Still Interested in Enzo Fernandez After Securing Ayyoub Bouaddi

Manchester City have finalized an £86 million deal to bring Lille's rising star Ayyoub Bouaddi to the club. Yet, their interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez remains, even as manager Enzo Maresca continues to reshape City's midfield following Rodri's exit to Barcelona.

Midfield Reinforcements Continue

The Premier League champions have already invested heavily this summer, spending £116 million on England international Elliot Anderson. Adding Bouaddi, a highly-rated Moroccan talent, at a €95 million (£81.4 million) base fee plus €5 million (£4.28 million) in add-ons marks another major commitment. Despite these moves, Maresca still sees room for further quality in the midfield, keeping Fernandez on his radar.

Bouaddi: City's Latest Midfield Prize

• Age and Nationality: 18-year-old Morocco international
• Clubs Interested: Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea before City secured him
• Lille Milestones: Nearly 100 appearances; youngest-ever Lille player debuting at 16 years and three days in September 2023 (Conference League)
• Transfer Details: Record sale for Lille, surpassing Nicolas Pepe's €80 million transfer to Arsenal in 2019
• Contract Length: Until 2031, with an option for City to extend by one year

Fernandez Remains a Target

Despite the significant outlay on Bouaddi, City have not given up on Fernandez. The Chelsea midfielder expressed a desire to leave Stamford Bridge earlier this summer after a move to Real Madrid did not happen. Fernandez reportedly wants to reunite with Maresca, who previously coached him at Chelsea.

The main obstacle lies in Chelsea’s valuation. They demand £120 million for Fernandez, a figure City considers too high compared to their own valuation of the Argentine international. This leaves City facing a tough choice as the transfer window nears its end, especially after investing so much already in midfield upgrades.

Midfield Worries Highlighted by Early Season Struggles

Maresca's push for reinforcements follows a shaky start to the Premier League season. In their opening game against Bournemouth, City's midfield was tested as Marcus Tavernier gave the hosts the lead. City eventually won 2-1 thanks to late goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol, but the match exposed lingering concerns about the squad depth after Rodri's departure.

While Bouaddi is expected to be a key long-term figure in midfield, whether City will pursue another costly signing in Fernandez depends largely on whether Chelsea drop their price.