Enzo Fernandez remains Manchester City’s dream target to replace Rodri despite Chelsea’s firm stance
Rodri is reportedly very close to leaving Manchester City, and Enzo Fernandez would be Enzo Maresca's dream signing to replace the Spaniard. Enzo Fernandez has emerged as Manchester City’s dream target to replace Rodri, according to transfers insider Gianluca Di Marzio, with new head coach Enzo Maresca identifying his former Chelsea player as the ideal successor for the departing Spanish midfielder. Rodri, 30, has reportedly made clear that his priority is a move to Barcelona, with City already rejecting an opening offer from the Catalan club. Talks between the two sides remain ongoing, with Spanish media putting the total package in the region of €60 million, including a €45 million upfront payment. Maresca, who worked closely with Fernandez during his time at Stamford Bridge, sees the Argentine as possessing the leadership, passing range, tactical intelligence and on-pitch personality needed to control matches from the center of the park. Chelsea, however, are firmly opposed to selling, viewing the 25-year-old as a cornerstone of their project. He remains under contract until 2032 and is valued at over £100 million, with a direct move to a Premier League rival likely to inflate that figure further. Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea. (Getty Images) The more advanced alternative: Ayyoub Bouaddi While Fernandez remains Maresca’s dream pick, Manchester City‘s most concrete route to replacing Rodri runs through Lille’s young star Ayyoub Bouaddi. According to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations for the 18-year-old Moroccan are moving into their final stages, with City already in agreement with the player on personal terms over a five-year deal, and reports placing the fee around €100 million. Unlike Fernandez, who profiles more as a forward-driving midfielder, Bouaddi operates as more of a tempo-setting playmaker — a style that matches with Rodri’s attributes at the midfield. Still, while City have the Bouaddi deal almost wrapped up, that doesn’t mean they won’t still try to go after the Argentine midfielder.