Fabrizio Romano reveals what he knows about Chelsea and Nico O’Reilly as Man City make sale decision

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A surprising transfer target that has emerged for Chelsea in recent days is Manchester City midfielder Nico O’Reilly.

Chelsea have managed to sting City in the past by signing Cole Palmer, who has been incredible at Stamford Bridge.

Pep Guardiola has been questioned for selling Palmer, who would easily walk into their team nowadays.

Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that while Enzo Maresca’s side “made an enquiry” about signing O’Reilly, Manchester City were hesitant to let him go.

If Pep Guardiola is handed the final say on the 19-year-old’s future, the Catalan tactician will have a big decision on his hands — considering the youngster broke into the Sky Blues’ first-team just this season.

Manchester City do not want to sell Nico O’Reilly to Chelsea

O’Reilly has made four appearances for Manchester City this campaign as he is gradually being blooded into senior football.

The highly-rated wonderkid has even scored in a City shirt at the Etihad Stadium, rifling in a close-range strike in his side’s 8-0 mauling of Salford City in the FA Cup.

Pep Guardiola has been criticised for Palmer’s exit and Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Manchester City have no interest in O’Reilly to head to Chelsea as they are wary that he could also blossom into a top player in West London.

Romano said on GiveMeSport’s show, Market Madness: “A name I mentioned yesterday is Nico O’Reilly at Manchester City, a talent they love but after the Cole Palmer story obviously, City now want to keep control of their players.”

Fabrizio Romano added that Chelsea will not agree to Manchester City asking them to add a buyback clause in any potential deal for O’Reilly: “So, they were asking for a buyback clause or maybe matching rights and Chelsea are not considering this if they invest £20 or £25 million on Nico O’Reilly.”

“So, that’s why at the moment the deal is not advancing, let’s see what Chelsea do in the final hours of the market.”

Nico O’Reilly could play in four positions if he signs for Chelsea

If O’Reilly did end up joining Chelsea, Enzo Maresca could deploy him in four different positions.

The Englishman has mostly played as a defensive midfielder at City but he is a number 10 by trade.

Furthermore, O’Reilly could also play as a number eight and even played as a left-back against Salford.

Even if a move to Chelsea did appeal to the Manchester City academy graduate, how much playing time the young midfielder would get under Maresca remains a mystery.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	ChelseaChelsea	23	11	7	5	45	30	15	40