Is Enzo Maresca’s pursuit of Enzo Fernández a realistic mission?

12.08.2026 — Enzo Maresca is reported to have sounded out a sensational midfield target as Manchester City prepare for a busy summer in the centre of the park: Enzo Fernández, the Chelsea midfielder. English outlets say Maresca has been in contact with the player who was a key figure during his time at Chelsea, but that the likelihood of Fernández moving to the Etihad is low. ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/13548417/manchester-city-transfer-news-no-interest-in-enzo-fernandez-but-elliot-anderson-remains-the-priority?utm_source=openai))

How big a lift would it take?

According to the reports, Chelsea have placed a valuation of £120,000,000 on Fernández — a figure the club argues matches the investment they made when they brought him in during the winter of 2023 from Benfica. Chelsea paid a British-record fee when they completed the signing in January 2023, and the club is believed to want at least that level to consider a sale. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/01/chelsea-to-sign-enzo-fernandez-benfica-british-record-transfer-fee?utm_source=openai))

Fernández has developed into one of the Premier League’s leading midfielders at his position and has been linked repeatedly with Real Madrid this summer. Real, however, have opted to back other targets: they have moved for Yan Diomandé and completed the free-agent signing of Bernardo Silva to reinforce their midfield, according to official and trade reports. That chain of moves appears to have reduced Madrid’s appetite for Fernández. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yan_Diomande?utm_source=openai))

At City, Maresca has already added Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and remains active in the market; Anderson arrived as a priority signing to boost the squad’s options. Reports also name Ayyoub/Ayoub Bouadi of Lille among the young midfield prospects linked with moves around Europe this summer. Maresca is said to want an even stronger central unit as Nico González is expected to leave. ([premierleague.com](https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4677666/forest-agree-transfer-of-elliot-anderson-to-manchester-city?utm_source=openai))

The overall picture, then, is familiar transfer-window logic: a manager identifies a preferred profile — in this case a proven Premier League performer with whom he already has a working relationship — but cost, opposing clubs’ plans and the player’s own willingness to move all limit the practical chances of a transfer. For now, Maresca’s interest in Fernández appears real on paper but unlikely to be resolved quickly.

Photo: press material from the event