City and Chelsea are already not on great terms after the circumstances around Maresca’s exit from Chelsea and move to City.

He was frequently butting heads with the Blues’ owners in his 18 months in charge and on 1 January left the club.

They were fifth when he left and ended up 10th – with Xabi Alonso having already replaced Maresca’s replacement Liam Rosenior this summer.

At the time Maresca’s exit was referred to as mutual but he has since said he resigned – and admits it “opened a path” for him to move to City.

It was always widely reported he was the frontrunner to replace Guardiola whenever the Catalan left City, having been his assistant before.

And sure enough at the end of the season he did join City, who had to pay Chelsea a huge compensation figure, even though he was no longer their manager.

Chelsea reporter Kinsella explained: “There is no doubt that, because of Maresca, there is bad blood between Chelsea and Manchester City and losing Fernandez to the Sky Blues would add another chapter to the story.

“Maresca’s mid-season exit was disruptive and unsettled players in the squad, including Fernandez himself, and led to a lengthy legal dispute that ultimately saw Chelsea receive £17.2m in compensation.

“The Italian had twice attracted interest from City before walking out on Chelsa. Ultimately, Maresca got his move but was also forced to apologise on Instagram and pay an undisclosed sum to Chelsea.”