Man City 'considering' Chelsea transfer raid as blockbuster move eyed

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A key Chelsea star could reportedly switch the Blues for another Premier League giant this summer

Manchester City are reportedly weighing up a move for Chelsea vice-captain Enzo Fernandez despite his turbulent campaign.

The Argentine midfielder has endured a challenging season at Stamford Bridge. Fernandez, 25, has had a notable year in front of goal, netting 12 times across all competitions.

However, he was recently handed an internal suspension following his comments about a potential switch to Real Madrid. Although he has now served that punishment, the former Benfica star has been linked with one of Chelsea's Premier League rivals.

According to The Athletic, Man City are considering a bid as they look to strengthen their midfield following the exit of Bernardo Silva. City's interest is understood to be at an early stage, with Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson also attracting attention at the Etihad Stadium.

Fernandez completed a £106million switch from Benfica to Chelsea and has since gone on to make 163 appearances for the west London outfit. He has, however, faced fierce criticism in recent weeks, with his display against Brighton drawing sharp words from Tim Sherwood.

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He said: "He wanted to make a show, this is not someone who I wanted to see with an armband on. He wants to leave the club. He stuck his chest out, he stood there, he made a stand, mate, make a stand when the game is on, do something about it, lead your players, you're an individual who plays for himself.

"He's probably there talking to the coaching staff trying to blame everyone else around him. That ain't what leaders do, they galvanise their team-mates, they make sure they're organised, he has to know when he's on that pitch what Liam Rosenior wants, and he has to try and implement it on the pitch for his manager."

Rosenior was dismissed following that match, with the former Strasbourg head coach's stint at Chelsea brought to a close after just four months. Fernandez remains contracted to Chelsea until 2032, though his agent Javier Pastore recently disclosed that negotiations were ongoing over an extended deal at Stamford Bridge.

He also confirmed that should no agreement be reached after the World Cup, the Argentine could be forced to seek opportunities elsewhere. Real Madrid are known admirers, though whether the Spanish giants would press ahead with a move this summer remains to be seen.