Manchester City's pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is drawing comparisons with last summer's protracted Alexander Isak transfer saga, after a 14 August deadline for bids passed without a formal offer. Chelsea agreed in late May that Fernandez could leave for £120m but have since told the player's camp he is not for sale this window, even though City, managed by his former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, remain keen and reports suggest Chelsea are privately still open to a sale.

City have already spent heavily this summer, signing Elliot Anderson, Jeremy Monga and Geronimo Rulli, and are also in advanced talks for Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi for £85m, with total spend potentially exceeding £330m if both deals go through. Chelsea have reportedly enlisted agent Jorge Mendes to help resolve the situation, while Fernandez's standing with fans is strained after he was jeered during a pre-season friendly; doubts remain over whether he will stay, echoing how Isak's £125m move to Liverpool was only confirmed after weeks of Newcastle insisting he was going nowhere.