Maresca eyes Chelsea reunion, wants Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto at Manchester City
The Italian coach wants to strengthen his new project with two familiar faces from his Stamford Bridge days, though Chelsea are asking 120 million pounds for the Argentine midfielder.
Enzo Maresca has been in the Manchester City dugout for barely a few months, but he already knows exactly who he wants to bring in to strengthen the locker room: two familiar faces from his time at Chelsea. The project sounds ambitious, though the first name on the list is not going to come cheap.
The Italian coach would like to bring back Enzo Fernandez, the Argentine midfielder who has already made clear in public that he would not mind leaving Stamford Bridge this summer. The problem is the price: according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are asking 120 million pounds to let him go, a figure that reflects just how much they value keeping him and that, for now, is holding up any serious progress in negotiations. Romano himself adds another name to Maresca's wish list: Pedro Neto, also a Chelsea winger, who City reportedly see as a possible replacement for Savinho.
Meanwhile, in north London, Tottenham are working another angle. The club has opened talks for Folarin Balogun, the AS Monaco forward and United States international, in a deal that would be worth around 60 million euros, according to French outlet L'Equipe. Interest in the 25 year old Balogun is nothing new: it has been building all summer, with English and Spanish clubs keeping tabs on his situation. Newcastle United are mentioned as the other English side in the mix, and Romano adds even more competition to the picture: Galatasaray and clubs from the Saudi Pro League have reportedly also reached out to the player in recent days.
Other moves taking shape across Europe
The market shows no signs of slowing down anywhere. In England, Arsenal offered Myles Lewis-Skelly to Manchester United in a bid to recoup part of the 75 million pounds they paid for Bruno Guimaraes, according to The Guardian. Chelsea are also keeping an eye on the 19 year old defender, whose value is estimated at close to 45 million pounds, though it remains unclear whether the Blues will move forward with a formal offer.
In Italy, Al Nassr are checking in on goalkeeper Mike Maignan amid doubts over his future at AC Milan, while Barcelona are negotiating a move for Rodri after seeing their initial offer of around 50 million euros rejected last week. The club is also planning to improve Marc Bernal's contract. In addition, Barca gave Ferran Torres permission to skip training while his possible move to Paris Saint-Germain is sorted out.
Among the deals already sealed, Chelsea confirmed the signing of left back Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano for 16.3 million pounds, Crystal Palace brought in Evann Guessand on loan from Aston Villa, and Manchester City made official the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille, in a deal worth up to 2 million euros over two seasons.
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