Manchester City are reportedly set to battle it out with Manchester United and Liverpool next summer for the signing of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Despite signing Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United in the past summer transfer window, the Sky Blues could be in the market for a central midfielder with Ilkay Gundogan potentially leaving the Etihad Stadium at the end of the campaign. As a result, Pep Guardiola has apparently started planning to replace Gundogan in his squad in the long run.
According to the Portuguese newspaper Record (h/t The Manchester Evening News), Manchester City have sent scouts to watch Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez in the Champions League in recent weeks. The report adds that the Cityzens would need to pay his full £105million release clause to bag his signature.
Fernandez, 21, arrived at Benfica from River Plate in the summer and has taken his game to another level in Portugal. The two-cap Argentina international, whose contract with Benfica runs until June 2027, has registered three goals and four assists in 22 appearances in all competitions, thus, catching the eye of many elite European clubs.
Enzo Fernandez to Man City—Is he the right man for the Sky Blues?
Manchester City bolstered their midfield unit in the summer by acquiring the services of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United, whilst adding much-needed competition for Rodri. However, Phillips has been unlucky with injuries and recently returned after nearly a two-month absence.
The central midfielder has made it to Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad for the upcoming World Cup, and Pep Guardiola will hope the player manages to perform at the highest level after returning from Qatar.
That being said, however, Guardiola is seeking midfield reinforcements at the end of the season with Ilkay Gundogan’s future far from clear and someone like Kevin de Bruyne, who plays all across the pitch, not getting any younger.
Enzo Fernandez is a player who has recently appeared on the radar of Man City. The 21-year-old’s performances for Benfica has put him on the radar of several of Europe’s elite clubs, including the Blue half of Manchester. He has helped the Eagles to the top of the Liga NOS table and progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League as group winners ahead of Paris Saint-Germain.
A tenacious, hard-working and smart midfielder with excellent passing ability, tackling skills and body control, Fernandez would be a smashing fit at Man City. Considering he is a deep-lying playmaker, the Argentina international’s goal contributions for Benfica have been impressive, and a move to the Sky Blues might be an ideal next step for him.
Fernandez’s addition would go a long way in refreshing City’s midfield options, whilst replacing Gundogan. Both Gundogan and De Bruyne are in their 30s, and the time is perfect to start planning for their futures.
Having arguably been the breakout midfielder in Europe this season, City could make a significant future investment by paying the £105million release clause to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in the summer of 2023.
