Maresca Dismisses Enzo Fernandez Transfer Amid Chelsea Deadline

Enzo Maresca has cooled talk of a late Manchester City swoop for Enzo Fernandez, insisting he does not expect any business to be done on Friday despite a hard deadline set by Chelsea.

City have been heavily linked with the Argentina midfielder, but time is almost up. Chelsea have made it clear: any bids for Fernandez must land by 5pm BST on Friday, August 14, and they want £120million on the table.

The clock is ticking. Maresca is not biting.

Speaking ahead of City’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal this weekend, the Italian was asked directly whether fans should brace for a reunion with Fernandez and a big-name arrival before the end of the day.

“Not today, to be honest. I don't think we're going to do something today,” he said in his Friday morning press conference.

He shut the door just as firmly when pushed on Fernandez specifically.

“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.”

So, no fireworks expected at the Etihad as Chelsea’s 5pm cut-off looms. But there is movement in the other direction.

Reijnders set for Saudi switch

One deal Maresca does expect to go through is Tijjani Reijnders’ move to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah, after a £51.2m fee was agreed 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.

“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.”

City, then, look more likely to lose a midfielder than land one before Chelsea’s deadline hits. With the Community Shield on the horizon and the window still open, the real question is how long Maresca can keep this stance if the right opportunity finally breaks free.