Manchester City will not meet Chelsea's 5pm deadline to submit a £120million transfer bid for midfielder Enzo Fernandez today, manager Enzo Maresca confirmed.
The 46-year-old Italian manager insisted that Manchester City will complete no incoming transfer business before the close of play, even as Argentine midfielder Fernandez pushes for a move to the Etihad Stadium this month and Chelsea remain adamant that his future must be settled before the weekend.
"Not today to be honest, I don't think we're going to do something today," Maresca said when asked about potential incoming transfers, while leaving the door open to further high-profile departures from the squad before the transfer window closes.
While incoming deals are on hold, several Manchester City players are nearing exits. Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is putting the finishing touches on a £52million transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah, while winger Savinho has expressed a desire to join Tottenham Hotspur.
Meanwhile, Spain captain Rodri returned to Manchester City's training ground for pre-season physical testing following back surgery. The midfielder held direct talks with Maresca on Friday as Spanish giants Barcelona attempt to negotiate a deal worth more than £60million for his signature.
Squad overhaul and player departures
Addressing the ongoing squad restructuring, Maresca indicated that more players could depart the club in the coming weeks following a summer of major transition.
"We'll see what happens with some more, there is a change in this moment," Maresca said. "We are in a moment where players that were here many years have already left or [others who] probably can leave."
"And that means there is a change. We're going to try to do our best. At the moment the transfer window closes, we need to be good enough to find as soon as possible solutions for the team."
Maresca took charge at Manchester City earlier this summer, taking over the manager's seat from Pep Guardiola. The Italian is now preparing the squad for his first competitive fixture in charge, facing Arsenal in Sunday's Community Shield at Wembley Stadium, the traditional curtain-raiser for the English football season.
Managing player expectations and transfers
Maresca declined to comment directly on transfer targets contracted to other clubs, pointing out that speculation surrounding Rodri had caused frustration earlier in the window. "I don't think it's good when people from other clubs speak about our players," he noted.
The manager also discussed the challenges of keeping players happy when squad depth limits their playing time, citing Reijnders' decision to seek a move after struggling for regular starts last season.
"They all work every day, they all do sessions every day and at the end of the week they all want to play a game," Maresca explained. "When they don't play, they struggle to understand or they struggle to see the reason why and I can understand that after one season some of them would like to play a little bit more."
"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 added.
Comparing Reijnders' departure to goalkeeper James Trafford's situation, Maresca made clear that players seeking regular football would not be blocked from leaving if all parties agree. "Tijjani's situation is like James Trafford's situation and 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," he said.
