Manchester City are considering Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez as a midfield option this summer.

City’s interest in the Argentina international is at an early stage and there are other midfield targets they are looking at, including Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, according to sources briefed on the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships.

Real Madrid are also among Fernandez’s admirers, but at this stage it is unclear whether they would make a move for him. Fernandez’s comments about Madrid during March’s international break resulted in him being dropped for two games by Liam Rosenior.

City’s interest in Fernandez comes as the club prepare to lose midfielder Bernardo Silva this summer. City confirmed on Thursday the Portugal international will depart at the end of his contract following nearly a decade at the Etihad.

Rodri’s deal is also set to expire in 2027, but Guardiola said in April that he remained “positive” the 29-year-old Spain international would renew his stay at City. Rodri had said in March that he wants to return to Spanish football one day and “could not turn down” the opportunity of playing for Madrid.

The Athletic reported City are also in the mix for Anderson and the Etihad is thought to be his favoured destination, with the England international also topping Manchester United’s list for midfielders this summer.

Fernandez, 25, is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032 but made a series of remarks casting doubt over his future in March.

Chelsea sacked Rosenior on Wednesday following a 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion the night before — Fernandez’s second game back.

The midfielder’s agent Javier Pastore told The Athletic following the announcement of his ban that talks had been held with Chelsea over renewing Fenandez’s contract but if the parties were unable to agree on terms after the World Cup, his client will explore other options.

Fernandez has made 163 appearances for Chelsea since joining from Benfica for a then-British record transfer fee of €120million (now £103.7m; $138m) in January 2023, winning the Club World Cup and Conference League in that time.

This season, the 2022 World Cup winner has made 48 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists.

Chelsea are seventh in the Premier League, while City have drawn level on points with league leaders Arsenal after Wednesday’s 1-0 win against Burnley.