‘Weird!’, ‘Enzo was a perfect Gündo replacement’ – Many fans react as CFG director admits Man City ‘could’ve signed’ midfielder last summer

City Football Group director Joan Patsy has claimed that Manchester City could have signed Argentina wonderkid Enzo Fernandez from River Plate before he joined Benfica.

The Portuguese club swooped in last summer and acquired Fernandez’s services for a meagre £10.5 million, an absolute bargain in the transfer market.

Fernandez lit up the World Cup for Argentina, becoming world Champion at 21 and also winning Young Player of the Tournament.

Speaking to Spanish publication Què T’hi Jugues, Patsy admits links between City and the former River Plate midfielder were correct and that City could have signed the all-action Argentinian number 24.

“Man City could’ve signed Enzo Fernández, but what do we do if we have Gundogan, Bernardo and Rodri in the squad? He would’ve cost us less than he did Benfica, but we didn’t have a place and we knew he wouldn’t play…” said Patsy.

City has arguably the best midfield in the world, but the snubbing of Fernandez may come back to bite the Blues as Ilkay Gundogan isn’t getting any younger and is out of contract in the summer, and links with star Bernardo Silva and Barcelona seemingly won’t disappear.

These Patsy’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

“Just say you didn’t think he’d be that good.”
Credit: @gooonersp

“Weird! Gundogan is not getting any younger, Bernardo still didnt renew and might leave! ”
Credit: @Jassim_Alkali

“Never too many midfielders patsy my friend let’s ruin football.”
Credit: @DazzlingDias4

“We literally could’ve bought and loaned him back ffs. everyone can see our midfield is ageing and bernardo might be leaving it was well worth the risk.”
Credit: @MCFCHarv

“He couldn’t developed his potencial at the WC if we signed him because of the low game time. But Joan, we have these thing called LOAN. Man Enzo was a perfect Gündo replacement”
Credit: @16Yutro

“Perfect replacement for Gundo if he leaves.”
Credit: @Mee_Steezyn

“Easy solution. Sign him, loan him out for a season and bring him back once when Gundogan leaves the season after. No excuses.”
Credit: @Komps4