Enzo Maresca fielded questions about Manchester City’s transfer business regarding Enzo Fernandez, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders on Friday.
The Italian is preparing for his first competitive match as City boss this Sunday when they take on Premier League champions Arsenal in the Community Shield.
The 46-year-old insists his only focus is on winning his first trophy at the club and not who is coming and going in the summer window, but he nonetheless provided some updates on some potential moves.
Maresca delivers Enzo Fernandez and Rodri transfer updates
City have been linked with a mega money deal for Chelsea midfielder Fernandez, which Maresca was unwilling to talk about.
“In this moment I have to give you the same answer since day one, which will be always the same. He is a player from another club and I don’t think it’s correct to talk about other players. I’m not going to say anything about players who are not with us,” he said at hs pre-match press conference.
The former Chelsea and Leicester head coach did, though, make a telling comment that suggests a move may not come to pass at all.
Chelsea reportedly put a deadline of 5pm on Friday for City to submit a £120 million bid, but Maresca says they will not be getting any deals done before then.
“Not today to be honest, I don’t think we’re going to do something today,” he said.
This does not preclude the possibility of City putting in an offer for Fernandez before deadline day on Tuesday, 1st September.
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Rodri has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona this summer, with both clubs in talks about a potential deal. The Independent claim that Barça are ready to make a third bid worth £60 million for the World Cup winner, but City value the player at £70 million and have been “baffled and frustrated” by both the Catalan club and Real Madrid, who are said to be out of the running for his signature.
Maresca has suggested that there will be outgoings before the window slams shut, but remained coy on the future of Rodri, who is currently recovering from minor back surgery.
“The transfer window is open, we can buy players, we can sell players, anything can happen,” he said. “I’ve just seen Rodri now in the building, I gave him a big hug. He looks good. So, we’ll see what happens.”
The Spain captain may not be the only one departing City this month as doubts surround the futures of Savinho, Omar Marmoush and Rico Lewis. “For sure there are things we need to do, how many [could come in] I don’t know — can be one or two — it depends also if players want to leave so we can see,” he said.
“It’s 48 hours until the final [the Community Shield], my first final in this club. I would like to win my first trophy, so my focus isn’t on players that can leave or players that can arrive.”
Reijnders is definitely headed for the exit, just one year after joining City from AC Milan for a £46.3 million transfer fee. The Dutch midfielder is set to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Qadsiah for £52 million.
Maresca says City didn’t stop Reijnders from joining another club because he was determined to leave Eastlands.
“It’s a bit difficult to convince players when they are already convinced. You need to change their thoughts, that is not always easy,” he reasoned.
“Tijjani’s situation is like James Trafford’s situation [who wanted to leave to sign for Leeds United], some more players, but I think when the club, the player, the manager, they all think the same way, that probably the best decision for a player is to go, you have to go.”
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