Enzo Fernandez transfer news: Man City considering bid for Chelsea midfielder

Sky Sports News has reported the midfielder is a top target for City boss Enzo Maresca following Rodri's departure.

City have signed Ayyoub Bouaddi , the highly-rated 18-year-old Morocco international, who impressed at the World Cup.

That deal comes after City spent £116m to sign Elliot Anderson and the club still want to make more additions in midfield, with an interest in Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Roma's Manu Kone.

Chelsea are also considering a late move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez . The Argentina international's representatives have offered Martinez to Chelsea.

Chelsea's current No 1 Robert Sanchez came under criticism after his error in Monday's win at Fulham.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says Fernandez will be involved in their Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town.

Fernandez came off the bench against Fulham on Monday in Chelsea's opening game of the season and the midfielder is set to feature again on Thursday.

"Yes, we expect that he's involved," said Alonso in a press conference on Wednesday.

"He's trained. He's training really well. He's a good professional and he will be involved."

Alonso was also asked whether he expected Fernandez to stay at the club.

"We want to have the best team possible," he said.

"We know his qualities; he has shown them, and we have to wait. We'll think about tomorrow and see how things develop."

Analysis: Chelsea-City relationship strained by Maresca and deadline tensions

"Earlier this month, nearly two weeks ago, Chelsea did set a deadline. It was Friday at 5pm, a couple of weeks ago, for clubs to submit a deal and a bid worth up to £120m; that was the asking price for Fernandez. Man City ignored that deadline, but we do know they do retain an interest in signing the player.

"That deadline doesn't actually seem as fixed as it was set by Chelsea a couple of weeks ago, because when I spoke to Xabi Alonso last week, he offered no guarantees when it came to Fernandez.

"He simply said the player was working hard ahead of that game in the Monday Night Football against Fulham. And then what was so interesting in that game was that there were a number of injury issues that Xabi Alonso was having to deal with ahead of his first match in charge, including no Moises Caicedo.

"It would have felt maybe natural that Enzo Fernandez would have come in. But it was Reece James alongside Romeo Lavia in the centre of midfield instead.

"Fernandez did come on the pitch. He got booed by the Fulham supporters. There were plenty of cheers, though, when it came to the Chelsea supporters, because there was a mixed reception when he came off the bench against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge in their final pre-season friendly around 10 days ago.

"However, it remains to be seen what sort of negotiation Chelsea would be willing to go into with Manchester City because there clearly is a strained relationship between the two football clubs.

"Chelsea's season was completely derailed by what happened with Enzo Maresca leaving around Christmas time, and Man City had to pay Chelsea £17m in compensation because of their role in that. To wait and see what Chelsea's asking price would be, given that we previously knew it to be around £120m."

"What are Man City willing to pay for a player who seems to be Maresca's top target in this transfer window?

"We know City should have money to spend now because they've sold a record number of players in this transfer window, and we know Maresca loves Fernandez."