City closing in on Enzo Fernandez in one of the deadline day’s biggest transfers
Highlights
Fulham have agreed a deal to sign 22 year old midfielder Manuel Angel from Real Madrid, according to Fabrizio Romano. The agreement will see Real Madrid retain a sell on clause and matching rights for the midfielder.
Angel is set to become the third Real Madrid player to follow Alvaro Arbeloa to Fulham this summer, after Gonzalo García and Cesar Palacios. He is already in London undergoing his medical
Sunderland are pushing ahead with a move for Benfica winger Dodi Lukebakio as they prepare for the possibility of missing out on Malick Fofana.
Crystal Palace have made a dramatic late move for Fofana and have reached an agreement with Lyon, leaving the Belgian with a decision to make. Sunderland have not been told their deal is dead, but they are moving quickly on Lukebakio as an alternative.
What a Deadline Day twist.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Al Ittihad have agreed a deal to sign Richard Rios from Benfica, with the Colombian midfielder set to join on loan until June 2027.
The agreement does not include a buy option, while Al Ittihad will cover the main part of his salary. Portuguese reports also confirm an agreement has been reached, with Benfica receiving around €3 million for the loan.
Rios joined Benfica from Palmeiras for €27 million last summer and remains under contract until 2030.
Chelsea's search for an Enzo Fernandez replacement is getting interesting. Talks are continuing for Lamine Camara after Monaco rejected an opening €45 million bid, while Manu Kone remains firmly on the list.
But reports suggest Chelsea are also exploring other options. Lucas Bergvall is admired, although Tottenham have held no official talks over a sale. Martin Zubimendi is liked by Xabi Alonso, but Arsenal have shown no willingness to sell, while Adam Wharton is another player Chelsea admire but Crystal Palace are not touting him for a move.
Sunderland are also reportedly unaware of any late Chelsea move for Noah Sadiki.
So who is the mystery midfielder Chelsea could turn to before allowing Enzo to join Manchester City? For now, Camara and Kone appear to be the most concrete options, but there could still be a Deadline Day surprise
Malick Fofana looked set to join Sunderland after a €30 million plus €5 million add ons deal was agreed with Lyon and he completed his medical. But Crystal Palace have now made a dramatic late move, with L'Equipe reporting that Palace have agreed a €39 million package with Lyon and Fofana has been convinced by former Lyon boss Pierre Sage to choose the London club instead. Yesterday, there were reports about him going to Arsenal but the gunners weren't ready to pay the asking fee.
BBC reports that Manchester City and Chelsea have entered into final negotiations over the transfer of Enzo Fernandez.
Talks over the fee are advancing, with City prepared to meet Chelsea’s minimum £120 million valuation for the Argentina midfielder.
Any final agreement, however, is understood to be dependent on Chelsea securing a replacement. Lamine Camara and Manu Kone are among the options being explored.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has now gone a step further, reporting that the deal for Enzo Fernandez to join Manchester City is done.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona currently consider their transfer business closed in terms of new arrivals following the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal.
The Brazilian has joined for around €10 million and signed a three year contract until June 2029.