Chelsea have yet to receive any formal proposal from Manchester City for midfielder Enzo Fernandez, and the club’s self-imposed deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday is fast approaching. City have expressed interest in the 25‑year‑old, a player who previously worked closely with Enzo Maresca during his tenure as Chelsea manager, but so far no offer has materialised. Chelsea have placed a valuation of around £120 million on Fernandez, who still has six years remaining on his contract after joining the Blues for an estimated £107 million from Benfica in the winter of 2023.
The club’s stance is clear: if City cannot meet the price tag, they will not consider selling the player either in this summer’s transfer window or in the January window. Earlier on Friday, ahead of the Community Shield clash with Arsenal, Maresca hinted that City were unlikely to make a move before the cutoff. When pressed about the looming deadline, he said, "Not today, to be honest – I don’t think we’ll see anything today." His comments suggest that Chelsea are prepared to stick to their timetable and that any last‑minute bid would have to be both swift and substantial. The situation is further complicated by the broader transfer market dynamics.
Barcelona recently attempted to sign Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri, submitting a £40 million offer that was turned down. That rejection has sparked speculation that City might respond by accelerating their own pursuit of Fernandez before the window shuts on Tuesday, 1 September. Chelsea’s high valuation is not without precedent. The club paid a hefty fee for Fernandez last winter, and they are keen to protect their investment while also ensuring the squad remains focused on the upcoming season under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The deadline was introduced to avoid the distractions that arose when Maresca unexpectedly left Chelsea earlier in the year, an exit that saw City pay a £17 million compensation package to secure his services. Fernandez’s recent off‑field episode also adds a layer of intrigue. In April, he was dropped from the squad for two matches after publicly stating he would welcome a move to Madrid.
Both the player and his agent later apologised for the remarks, which had been linked to ongoing negotiations for improved contract terms at Chelsea. Real Madrid, however, issued a statement this summer denying any concrete interest in signing him. Beyond the Fernandez saga, City have a number of other targets on their radar.
They are reportedly in talks with Lille about Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and have already secured the services of central midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a fee reported to be around £116 million. Additionally, there are rumours that Nottingham Forest are monitoring Tijjani Reijnders, while Barcelona’s willingness to increase their bid for Rodri—potentially up to the £50‑60 million range—could influence City’s strategic calculations.
The relationship between the two English clubs remains strained after Maresca’s departure, which was described as acrimonious by insiders. City’s payment of £17 million in compensation to Chelsea underscores the tension, and both sides appear determined to keep negotiations over Fernandez separate from any lingering animosity. In summary, Chelsea are standing firm on a £120 million price for Enzo Fernandez and have set a clear 5 p.m. Friday deadline for any offers.
Manchester City have shown interest but have yet to submit a bid, and the club has signalled that it will not consider selling the midfielder if its demands are not met. With the summer transfer window set to close on 1 September, the next few hours will be crucial for both clubs as they weigh their options and prepare for the start of the new Premier League season under fresh managerial leadership.