Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Sat 30 May 2026 20:15, UK

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Enzo Fernandez could reunite with former manager Enzo Maresca after being linked with a move to Manchester City this summer.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Citizens are highly unlikely to meet the £120million price tag attached to the Argentine.

Instead, he believes that a player-plus-cash deal is far more likely to happen if a move does materialise, but a switch to Real Madrid could be on the cards following his controversial comments this season.

Man City’s transfer chiefs are already in action, despite Maresca not yet being announced officially as Pep Guardiola’s replacement ahead of next season, and Chelsea’s No.8 could be part of the plans.

Enzo Fernandez to Man City transfer cannot be totally ruled out

It is understood that, alongside multiple other players, Fernandez is eyeing a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, and while Real Madrid are the clear favourites, Maresca could change that.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson believes that, while £120million is far too much to be considered, a move for Maresca’s former midfield star cannot be fully ruled out this summer.

“Not for Man City, sorry. Fernandez is not going for £120million. We all know that. It’s just a silly story and nobody in world football can either afford it or would want to pay £120m for Fernandez,” Borson said.

“That’s the starting point. The second point is, I mean, I think he could easily go to City, particularly if there was some sort of player swap. I think he could go to Real Madrid, also on a player swap deal.

“If they throw a whole load of players in, then the value is fudged to an extent because you can just inflate the value of the players that come in. But nobody’s paying £120m in cash for Fernandez.

“City’s focus is on [Elliot] Anderson, which looks like it’s something that they’re very confident that they will do. Not sure how they’re so confident, given that they don’t know what his fee is, unless there is a release clause, but nobody knows.

“I’m not saying they wouldn’t want Fernandez, I can see a scenario where they would quite like him, but they’re certainly not going to pay £120m.”

What would Fernandez’s arrival mean for Man City’s current midfield?

With Bernardo Silva departing on a free transfer, his spot in the team is up for grabs, but that will come with a lot of pressure due to the impact that the Portuguese star had on the pitch.

Phil Foden will be hoping to break back into the starting lineup after signing a new contract, while many will be wishing for Tijjani Reijnders to have a fresh start under a new manager.

Football Insider understands that Reijnders could be given one more season to prove himself at the Etihad Stadium, with other players being sacrificed to keep him from leaving this summer.

However, interest in Fernandez and Anderson would suggest that the club have very little faith in the Dutchman, who notched seven goals and seven assists in 50 games during his first season in England.