The deadline that Chelsea set for 5 p.m. on Friday for Manchester City to lodge a formal bid for midfielder Enzo Fernandez has now come and gone, and no offer was submitted.
As a result, the Argentine international – who Chelsea value at roughly £120 million – is expected to remain at Stamford Bridge for the 2026/27 campaign. According to sources, the verbal terms that were reportedly floated to Fernandez's representatives at the end of May – terms that would have been acceptable to any club showing genuine interest – are now off the table.
While City have expressed admiration for the 25‑year‑old, particularly because of his close relationship with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, they have not yet committed to a concrete proposal. Fernandez still has six years left on his contract, meaning Chelsea retain a strong negotiating position. Nonetheless, there is no absolute guarantee that City will not still try to secure his signature before the summer transfer window shuts on 1 September.
The situation is further complicated by developments surrounding Barcelona’s pursuit of City captain Rodri. Barcelona have already had two bids for the Spanish midfielder rejected, and City appear reluctant to let him leave unless they can lock down a new deal for him, as his current contract expires next summer.
If Barcelona were to present a fee that City deem acceptable, the English club might be forced to reconsider their stance on Fernandez. Chelsea have publicly stated that they will not entertain a sale of the Argentina international either this summer or in the winter window, but market realities can shift quickly when large sums of money are involved. Sky Sports’ Alan Irwin commented on the episode, noting that the deadline was a self‑imposed deadline by Chelsea and that City were unlikely to cooperate with a timetable set by a rival.
Irwin added that the £120 million price tag Chelsea have attached to Fernandez could push City to weigh other factors – most notably whether Rodri departs for Barcelona. "Maresma is a huge admirer of Enzo Fernandez and knows exactly what he could bring to Manchester City," Irwin said.
"But any move for Fernandez will largely depend on the outcome of the Rodri saga." Maresma, who moved from Chelsea to City earlier this summer after a contentious exit, remains a vocal supporter of the Argentine. The relationship between the two clubs, however, has been strained ever since Maresma’s departure, which saw City pay Chelsea a £17 million compensation package to secure his services. Maresma left Chelsea with three and a half years remaining on his contract, after being linked to a possible succession plan for Pep Guardiola.
Chelsea’s decision to set a hard deadline was partly motivated by a desire to avoid distractions ahead of the new season. The club wants its incoming manager, Xabi Alonso, and his squad to focus entirely on preparation without the media circus that often surrounds high‑profile transfer negotiations. In the weeks leading up to the deadline, interested parties were given almost two months to make an approach, but none succeeded in meeting Chelsea’s terms.
Fernandez’s recent conduct has also added a layer of complexity. In April he was dropped from the Chelsea lineup after admitting in an interview that he would welcome a move to Madrid. Both the player and his agent later issued an apology, explaining that they had been seeking improved contractual conditions at the club. Real Madrid, meanwhile, issued a statement earlier this summer denying any intention to pursue the midfielder.
Beyond the Fernandez saga, City have been active in the market. They have already secured the signing of central midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a reported £116 million and are reportedly in talks with Lille about Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. These moves suggest that City are preparing for a potential exodus should Rodri or other key figures leave.
In summary, while the immediate deadline has passed without a bid, the transfer window remains open and the situation is fluid. Should Barcelona present a compelling offer for Rodri, or should other market forces shift, Manchester City may still decide to make a move for Enzo Fernandez before the 1 September cut‑off.
For now, however, the Argentine is poised to continue his Chelsea career into the next season, barring any unforeseen developments.