City missed Chelsea's Fernandez deadline. So what? They still want him.

Chelsea had a grand plan: an automatic £120m exit clause for Enzo Fernandez. Agreed with his people back in May, they said. An ultimatum for City to activate it. City just... didn't bother. They let that window slam shut without a peep. So much for ultimatums.

The transfer window still isn't nailed shut, though. Not until 1 September. City clearly reckon there's plenty of time to haggle a fresh deal in the final fortnight. They usually get what they want.

Fernandez's shine at Stamford Bridge? Fading fast, if Saturday was any indication. He got booed. By Chelsea's *own* fans, no less. That was during their 3-1 friendly victory over Real Sociedad. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a £120m man, is it? And let's not forget the two-match suspension he picked up last season. All for flapping his gums about his future while on Argentina duty. Smart move, Enzo.

Real Madrid kicked the tires earlier this summer. Then quickly backed away. Officially out by early July. Tells you something.

City, meanwhile, aren't exactly twiddling their thumbs. Pep's ripping apart his midfield. Rebuilding from the ground up. Talks with Lille over Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi continue. The French club wants around £85m. Rodri, a four-time Premier League champion and former Ballon d'Or winner, just completed his £65.4m switch to Barcelona. That's a gut punch for Pep Guardiola. Tijjani Reijnders? He's headed to Saudi Arabia's Al Qadsiah for approximately £51m. An exodus. Big holes to fill.