Maresca Addresses Fernandez Speculation Amid Deadline
Enzo Maresca has moved to cool talk of a dramatic late swoop for Enzo Fernandez, insisting Manchester City are not planning any business on Friday despite a looming deadline set by Chelsea.
City have been heavily linked with the Argentina midfielder, but the clock is ticking. Chelsea, determined to keep control of the situation, have imposed a firm cut-off: bids must land by 5pm BST on Friday, August 14, with an asking price of £120 million on the table.
Maresca shuts down Fernandez talk
Speaking ahead of City’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal this weekend, Maresca was asked directly about the prospect of reuniting with Fernandez and whether fans should expect a new face through the door before the day is out.
“Not today, to be honest. I don't think we're going to do something today,” he said in his Friday morning press conference.
Pressed on Fernandez specifically, the Italian drew a clear line.
“In this moment, again, I have to give you the same answer since day one. It will always be the same. It's a player from another club, I don't think it's correct to talk about him.
“At the same time, I don't think it's correct for other clubs to speak about our players. That's why I'm not going to say anything about players that aren't with us.”
With Chelsea’s deadline and price tag set, the message from Maresca was blunt: if City are to move, it will not be under the glare of today’s countdown.
Reijnders closing in on Saudi switch
One deal is moving, though. Tijjani Reijnders is on the brink of leaving for the Saudi Pro League after City agreed a £51.2m fee with Al Qadsiah on Thursday.
“Tij is not officially done, but we'll see in the next hour,” Maresca revealed. “I already spoke with him a few times in pre-season, then we will see if he is going to leave or if he is going to stay.”
Maresca made a point of praising the midfielder’s contribution over the summer.
“In the way he was playing in the pre-season games, I was quite happy with his performance overall. I know Tij from Italy, from Milan when he was there so I know him quite well.
“I know there he was playing in a different position, he likes to play a little more deep rather than high up the pitch, but again in the pre-season he was good, then we'll see what happens and we'll decide.”
So while the spotlight outside the club burns on Fernandez and a 5pm deadline, inside City the head coach is dealing with something more immediate: the likely departure of a player he knows, trusts, and has just watched through pre-season.
