As the post-Guardiola era begins to take shape at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City has identified Fernández as their primary transfer target. This strategic move is reportedly championed by Maresca, who is expected to take over from Guardiola this summer on a three-year contract.

The Italian tactician, who developed a strong rapport with the World Cup winner during their 18 months at Stamford Bridge, is convinced that the midfielder’s profile aligns perfectly with his requirements to inject dynamism into City’s midfield. Preliminary talks have already commenced to assess the feasibility of this significant operation, demonstrating the English champions’ swift action.

Fernández’s long-term future at Chelsea has become a subject of intense speculation. Already expressing dissatisfaction after the club’s Champions League exit, the midfielder’s relationship with the management further soured when he received a two-match internal suspension for publicly discussing a potential transfer to Real Madrid during an international break.

The Argentine has always openly admired Maresca and publicly questioned Chelsea’s decision to part ways with the coach mid-season. Fernández previously stated, “I don’t understand it either. Sometimes there are things we, as players, don’t comprehend regarding how they try to manage things. His departure affected us, as we had a clear identity. He gave us instructions, and even though results can be unpredictable in football, he always had a very clear vision for training and playing. His departure in the middle of the season interrupted everything.”

Sources indicate that Manchester City is seeking a marquee signing to usher in the Maresca era. Fernández’s ability to dictate play from deep in midfield aligns perfectly with the club’s projected new tactical direction. Despite his £106.8 million transfer fee to Chelsea, the Argentine midfielder has yet to consistently impress for the Blues, partly due to frequent squad rotation.

With no Champions League football next season, Chelsea may find it challenging to decline the opportunity for a player to join a club with Manchester City’s illustrious trophy cabinet. This Sunday, Chelsea travels to Sunderland for the final matchday, unable to climb higher than seventh place in the Premier League, a situation that only amplifies the uncertainty surrounding their key players.

While Fernández remains the top priority, City’s recruitment department is exploring multiple avenues. We understand that the Citizens are also closely monitoring Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and Tino Livramento from Newcastle, aiming to inject youth into their defense and midfield. Maresca’s intimate knowledge of the Chelsea squad could also lead City to consider other targets from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea is expected to demand a transfer fee similar to what they paid Benfica in 2023, which suggests challenging negotiations lie ahead. Despite these potential hurdles, Maresca is pushing hard to finalize this significant acquisition, and the City hierarchy stands ready to fully support him in their quest to reclaim the Premier League title from Arsenal next season.