Their interest in Fernandez is longstanding and has been led by Enzo Maresca, the City head coach who worked with Fernandez and made him a key player when in charge at Chelsea for 18 months.
Fernandez was expected to be named in the squad for Thursdayâs Carabao Cup tie, according to Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. Yet Argentinean media have reported that Fernandez asked not to be involved.
When speaking at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Alonso had said: âYes, so we expect that he is involved.
âHe has trained, he's training really well, he's a good professional and he will be involved.â
Asked whether he would like to keep Fernandez, Alonso had said: âWe want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities. He has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let's see how things develop.â
Fernandez was booed by some Chelsea fans but cheered by others as he appeared as a substitute in their 3-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday.
Fernandez has made no secret of his desire to leave Chelsea but continues to train as normal with the club.
Chelsea set an arbitrary deadline of 5pm BST on Friday, August 13 for bids to be made for Fernandez by interested parties and made it clear they valued the player at ÂŁ120million.
No offers were made in that time and Chelsea have since insisted any interested buyers would have to pay even more for Fernandez, given that the Blues would look for a replacement â though not necessarily like-for-like â and could face an inflated price when doing so at this late stage of the window.
Fernandez was expected to be named in the squad for Thursdayâs Carabao Cup tie, according to Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. Yet Argentinean media have reported that Fernandez asked not to be involved.
When speaking at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Alonso had said: âYes, so we expect that he is involved.
âHe has trained, he's training really well, he's a good professional and he will be involved.â
Asked whether he would like to keep Fernandez, Alonso had said: âWe want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities. He has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let's see how things develop.â
Fernandez was booed by some Chelsea fans but cheered by others as he appeared as a substitute in their 3-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday.
Fernandez has made no secret of his desire to leave Chelsea but continues to train as normal with the club.
Chelsea set an arbitrary deadline of 5pm BST on Friday, August 13 for bids to be made for Fernandez by interested parties and made it clear they valued the player at ÂŁ120million.
No offers were made in that time and Chelsea have since insisted any interested buyers would have to pay even more for Fernandez, given that the Blues would look for a replacement â though not necessarily like-for-like â and could face an inflated price when doing so at this late stage of the window.
Related Coverage
- Enzo Fernandez transfer news: Man City to bid for Chelsea's ÂŁ120m-rated midfielder â BBCXabi Alonso explains Enzo Fernandezâs absence from Chelsea squad amid Man City interest
- BBCXabi Alonso explains Enzo Fernandezâs absence from Chelsea squad amid Man City interest â The Independent
- Enzo Fernandez transfer news: Manchester City to make late move for Chelsea midfielder - Paper Talk â Sky Sports
- Maresca reveals Man City transfer latest as Chelsea braced for Fernandez bid â London Evening Standard
