Enzo Fernandez will stay unless Man City meet Chelsea demand
Chelsea have told Manchester City they have until 5pm on Friday to bid £120m for Enzo Fernandez, or the midfielder stays put for the rest of the window.
Chelsea give City a hard cut-off
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea have set Manchester City a deadline of 5pm this Friday to make an offer for Fernandez, with the club valuing him at £120m. If City do not meet that number by the deadline, Chelsea do not intend to sell him this summer.
A separate BBC Sport report also says Chelsea have set a Friday deadline for offers of £120m or more. The summer window shuts on Tuesday September 1, so the deadline is a decision point for City before the window closes.
Chelsea’s position on Fernandez and the £120m valuation
Chelsea signed Fernandez for around £107m from Benfica in the 2023 winter window, and he has six years left on his contract. The club’s £120m valuation reflects that position.
We covered the background to that valuation in more detail here. Fernandez has been at the centre of exit speculation after admitting in the spring that he would welcome living in Madrid. He was dropped for two matches and he and his agent later apologised for the comments. Real Madrid have since said they have no intention of signing him, while City remain interested.
Chelsea’s position is clear: meet their valuation or Fernandez remains at the club for this window.
Manchester City’s interest raises the pressure
City’s interest in Fernandez is linked to his relationship with Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with him at Chelsea. Relations between Chelsea and City have been strained following Maresca’s departure, with City paying Chelsea £17m in compensation to appoint him this summer.
Chelsea’s decision to impose a Friday cut-off is intended to avoid further disruption. Sky Sports reports that the club believe interested parties have had roughly two months to make an approach for Fernandez, and they want Xabi Alonso and his squad focused on the season. We touched on Alonso’s comments on the situation recently.
Barcelona have already had a £40m bid for Rodri rejected by City and are reportedly ready to raise their offer into the £50m-£60m range. Sky Sports says Barcelona’s pursuit of Rodri has raised the prospect of a late City move for Fernandez. City are also in talks with Lille about Ayyoub Bouaddi.
What happens next
Friday at 5pm is the key deadline. If City table an offer that meets Chelsea’s £120m valuation, Chelsea would consider it. If City do not move, or offer below that figure, Chelsea do not intend to sell Fernandez in this window.
Fernandez remains part of Chelsea’s plans, and the club are prepared to reintegrate him into the squad under Alonso if no deal is reached. The deadline is intended to provide clarity before the season begins.
In other news…
For more background, read our earlier piece on Fernandez potentially reuniting with Enzo Maresca at City, plus our breakdown of why Chelsea settled on the £120m valuation.
