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Enzo Fernandez in talks over £120m Man City move after absence from Chelsea squad

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Manchester City remain in talks to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea after the 25-year-old midfielder was left out of Xabi Alonso’s side to face Luton in the Carabao Cup.

Chelsea are holding out for a £120m fee for the Argentina international, which would make Fernandez City’s record signing after the £116m fee they paid for Elliot Anderson this summer.

Fernandez was not in Chelsea’s squad to face Luton
Fernandez was not in Chelsea’s squad to face Luton (Getty)

Fernandez was not in Chelsea’s squad to face Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, despite manager Xabi Alonso saying the previous day that he expected the midfielder to be involved.

Fernandez has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City since the World Cup and Enzo Maresca’s side are expected to return with an offer for the Argentina international despite missing an informal deadline earlier this month.

It means City could spend around £300m on midfielders this summer in what has been a complete overhaul following the departure of Pep Guardiola, whose exit was followed by those of long-serving players Rodri and Bernardo Silva.

City have recouped around £165m for selling Rodri to Barcelona, Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah and Nico Gonzalez to Newcastle, while Maresca’s side also added the signing of 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi for £86m following the arrival of Anderson.

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The Independent understands Chelsea are prepared to go back to Bournemouth for midfielder Alex Scott if they sell Fernandez. The Cherries have so far shut down any interest, but there’s a belief a bid in excess of £80m, and probably closer to £90m, might bring reconsideration.

Alonso named a strong team to face Luton, selecting both Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, but Fernandez was notably absent from the squad despite the new Chelsea manager saying he expected Fernandez to be included on Wednesday.

“We assessed situations, individual and collective and we have decided he is not in the squad for today,” Alonso told Sky Sports before facing Luton, which was Chelsea’s first competitive home game of the new season.

Fernandez featured off the bench for Chelsea in their Premier League opener at Fulham on Monday and was booed by the home fans at Craven Cottage for his role in the Argentina’s World Cup semi-final win over England.

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Fernandez received a comparatively warm reception from Chelsea supporters when he came on, having been previously booed during a friendly against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge before the start of the season.

Asked whether he would like to keep Fernandez before the Luton match, Alonso added: “We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities. He has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let’s see how things develop.”

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 26 2026

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Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 26 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and
Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs.
Wests Tigers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday August 29, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Preview

North Queensland returns from a bye knowing a victory could secure its finals place, depending on Canterbury’s result against Penrith. The Cowboys last played in Round 24, when they were edged 32-30 by Parramatta, and the extra preparation should help after that demanding contest. Wests Tigers arrives with renewed belief following a 25-24 upset of the Roosters. Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai return for North Queensland, although Murray Taulagi is sidelined by concussion. The Tigers lose Alex Twal to concussion, with Sunia Turuva and Ethan Roberts included on the interchange. Wests dominated the Round 2 meeting 44-16 and carries genuine attacking threats, but the Cowboys’ rest advantage, home conditions and stronger finals motivation should allow their returning playmakers to dictate the decisive periods.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Teams

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Griffin Neame 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. John Bateman 17. Coen Hess 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Ethan King 20. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Mason Kira 22. Liam Sutton

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomane Saukuru 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Ethan Roberts 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tristan Hope 19. Sunia Turuva 20. Faaletino Tavana 21. Charlie Murray 22. Vaka Aho

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Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City Prediction and Betting Tips

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Bolton Wanderers take on Lincoln City on matchday three of the Championship on Saturday. The two sides are in opposite halves of the standings after the opening two gameweeks.

Steven Schumacher’s Bolton are coming off a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers last week. The Hoops dominated possession (54%) and had seven shots on target but couldn’t find a way past a determined Wanderers rearguard as a stalemate ensued.

With four points from two games, Schumacher’s side are fifth in the fledgeling standings, having won their campaign opener 2-1 at home to Preston North End two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw’s Lincoln are fresh off a 4-1 victory at 10-man Blackpool in the EFL Cup second round in midweek, with four different men getting on the scoresheet.

Earlier, the Imps lost 3-1 at home to Portsmouth in their most recent Championship outing. Reeco Hackett-Fairchild’s penalty midway through the first period briefly reduced arrears for the hosts after Pompey had taken a two-goal lead inside 16 minutes. However, the visitors had the last laugh, scoring a 69th-minute winner.

Back-to-back defeats left Lincoln 20th in the points table, behind rock-bottom Southampton (-1) on goal difference.

On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction and betting tips for the Bolton-Lincoln Championship showdown at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, Horwich:

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Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City head-to-head stats and key numbers

  • In 32 meetings across competitions, Bolton lead Lincoln 17-8, with their last clash ending goalless at Lincoln in League One in February.
  • Bolton are winless in three games against Lincoln – all in League One – losing one.
  • The Wanderers won their lone home match of the season, beating Preston North End in the Championship this month.
  • Lincoln have won two of their road outings this campaign, with both victories coming in the EFL Cup.
  • Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Bolton: D-W-L-W-W; Lincoln: W-L-L-W-W

Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City prediction

The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season, with Bolton going unbeaten in two games in their first Championship campaign in seven years, while Lincoln have lost both matches on their second-tier return after 65 years.

In terms of head-to-head, the Wanderers have an advantage, but Lincoln have dominated recent meetings, all in the third tier. Both teams have scored twice across their first two matches.

However, the Wanderers are the slightly more in-form team and should take a slender win.

Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Lincoln City


Bolton Wanderers vs Lincoln City betting tips

Tip-1: Bolton to win

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Tip-2: Lincoln to score: No

Tip-3: Under 1.5 goals