Chelsea have not yet received a 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 a clear interest in the 25‑year‑old, a player who enjoyed a close working relationship with Enzo Maresca during his brief spell as Chelsea manager. The Blues have placed a valuation of roughly £120 million on Fernandez, who still has six years remaining on his current contract.
Earlier on Friday, just before the Community Shield clash with Arsenal, Maresca hinted that Manchester City were unlikely to submit a bid before Chelsea’s cut‑off time. When pressed about the looming deadline, the former Chelsea boss replied, “Not today, to be honest – I don’t think we’ll see anything today.” If City fail to meet Chelsea’s asking price, the London club has made it clear that they will not consider selling Fernandez either in this summer’s window or in the January transfer period. So far, no official offers have been recorded for the midfielder this season. The situation has been further complicated by Barcelona’s ongoing pursuit of Manchester City’s captain, Rodri.
Barcelona recently had a £40 million bid for the Spanish midfielder turned down, prompting speculation that City might decide to act quickly on Fernandez before the transfer window shuts. Chelsea originally secured Fernandez from Benfica in the winter of 2023 for around £107 million, and they have now set a higher price tag in line with his performances and potential.
The summer window is scheduled to close on Tuesday, 1 September, leaving only a narrow window for any deal to be concluded. Relations between the two clubs have been tense ever since Maresca’s departure from Chelsea. City paid a £17 million compensation package to secure his services after he left Chelsea by mutual consent in January, a move that was described as acrimonious by both sides.
The compensation payment was intended to smooth the transition, but lingering resentment remains. Chelsea’s decision to impose a hard deadline stems from a desire to avoid the distractions that plagued the club when Maresca’s sudden exit was announced earlier in the year. The Blues want their new manager, Xabi Alonso, and his squad to concentrate fully on the upcoming season without the noise of protracted transfer negotiations. Fernandez’s recent form has not been without controversy.
In April, he was dropped for two matches after publicly stating that he would welcome a move to Madrid, a comment that sparked a backlash from fans and the club hierarchy. Both the player and his agent subsequently issued apologies, explaining that the remarks were made while negotiating improved personal terms with Chelsea.
Real Madrid later issued a statement denying any active pursuit of the midfielder. Meanwhile, Manchester City have been busy lining up potential replacements for any player who might depart. They are in ongoing talks with Lille about Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and have already secured the signing of central midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a reported £116 million. City’s broader transfer strategy also includes monitoring interest in Nottingham Forest’s Tijjani Reijnders and keeping an eye on the evolving Barcelona‑Rodri saga, which could influence their timing.
Barcelona appear ready to increase their offer for Rodri, potentially reaching the £50‑60 million range, a development that could force City to act swiftly on Fernandez before the Chelsea deadline expires. Should City decide to retain Rodri, they may still be tempted to add a player of Fernandez’s calibre to bolster their midfield depth, especially as the English side prepares for a demanding season that includes Champions League commitments. In summary, Chelsea are standing firm on a £120 million price for Enzo Fernandez, with a strict 5 p.m.
Friday deadline that could see the deal either materialise or collapse entirely. Manchester City remain interested but have yet to present a concrete offer, and any failure to meet Chelsea’s terms will likely see the midfielder stay put for the foreseeable future, despite rumors of interest from other European giants. The next few hours will be crucial in determining whether the transfer market drama ends with a high‑value move to Manchester City or whether Fernandez remains a Chelsea player heading into the new season.