Manchester City tipped to sign Roberto Fernandez after stunning Espanyol start

Roberto Fernandez has been tipped for a move to Manchester City next year if the Espanyol striker maintains his remarkable goalscoring form.

The 22-year-old has made an outstanding start to the new La Liga season, scoring five goals in his opening five matches and emerging as one of Espanyol’s standout performers.

His form represents a significant step forward after Fernandez managed seven goals across 44 appearances last season.

Fernandez has taken a varied route to establishing himself in La Liga.

Born in Andalusia, the Spain Under-21 international developed across several Spanish academies before joining Portuguese side Braga.

He eventually moved from Braga to Espanyol in 2025, where his development has accelerated.

Braga also retain a significant financial interest in his future, with the Portuguese club reportedly entitled to 50 per cent of any future transfer fee Espanyol receive for the striker.

His explosive start to the current campaign could therefore prove lucrative for both clubs if major European teams begin showing interest.

Fernandez’s performances were a major talking point ahead of Espanyol’s La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano.

Manager Manolo González was asked about his striker’s record of five goals from five matches and suggested maintaining such extraordinary numbers would inevitably attract clubs at Manchester City’s level.

“If Roberto achieves this goal average, and this is his true potential, he’ll be at Manchester City next year,” González said.

“It’s not normal for a top-flight striker to score in every game; maybe now he goes two or three games without scoring and we’ll say he’s playing very badly.

“What Roberto is doing right now is very, very difficult.”

González’s comments appear to be a prediction about the level Fernandez could reach rather than confirmation that Manchester City have already made an approach.

The Espanyol manager is not worried about his best players attracting attention.

Instead, González believes interest from bigger clubs would demonstrate that Espanyol and their players are performing successfully.

“If they want to sign Roberto and five more players in the winter transfer window, it means we’ve done things well,” he added.

“If they want to sign 10 players at the end of the season, it means things have been done very, very well. What worries me is that he continues to play at his level.”

For Fernandez, maintaining that level is now the challenge.

Five goals from five La Liga matches has put the young forward firmly in the spotlight, and continuing anywhere close to that scoring rate could ensure González’s Manchester City prediction becomes increasingly relevant.

Fernandez will look to continue his exceptional start when Espanyol face Rayo Vallecano. If his goalscoring form continues, speculation surrounding a potential move to Manchester City or another major European club is likely to intensify.