Why Man City can spend more than £300m to overhaul midfield this year

Enzo Fernandez is the top target but Chelsea set a price of £120m earlier this month and that price could even go up in the final days before the deadline. City are looking at other midfielders as well as they look to back Enzo Maresca in his first season in charge, meaning that City's spend on midfielders alone in this transfer window could be closer to £400m than £300m.

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To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.

Even without Gonzalez, City sales this summer currently stand at £259.6m and that could rise to £278.2m if all bonuses are met. James Trafford and Savinho are other exits that have produced big sums for the Blues.

When Bouaddi and Palmeiras winger Allan join this week, City will have spent an initial £265.6m that could rise to £281.6m with additional payments. Jeremy Monga, Mathys Detourbet and Pierce Charles are among the players to have topped up the major spends.

Whichever set of figures are taken, there is less than a £10m net spend in more than £500m worth of transfers from City. That is remarkable in its own respect, but also means that City have the financial capability to spend big on players again before the window is out to get the squad they need for the season.