Manchester City continue to keep Enzo Fernandez on their radar as the transfer window draws to a close, even though they missed the deadline set by Chelsea. The English club will have to decide in the next two weeks whether to launch a bid for the Argentine midfielder before the window shuts on September 1, after previously choosing not to submit an offer before the cut‑off imposed by the Blues. Fernandez is now out of reach for a move away from Stamford Bridge under the £120 million deal that was agreed with his agents back in May.
That deadline expired at 5 p.m. on Friday, but the overall transfer period remains open for the remainder of the month, giving City a narrow window to act if they still wish to secure his services. The young playmaker made his recent appearance for Chelsea in a 3‑1 friendly victory over Real Sociedad, where he was greeted with a chorus of boos from a vocal section of the home crowd. The Argentina international, who helped his country reach the World Cup final, had been suspended for two matches toward the end of last season after raising questions about his future while on international duty.
Those doubts came amid swirling rumors linking him with Real Madrid, a club that later issued an official statement in early July dismissing any transfer speculation. While City evaluate their options for Fernandez, they are also in active negotiations with French side Lille over a potential signing of Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The Blues are looking to refresh their midfield after recent departures, and Lille are reportedly asking around £85 million for the 20‑year‑old.
Lille’s head coach, Davide Ancelotti, confirmed that talks were ongoing over the weekend, indicating that the deal is moving forward. At the same time, Chelsea have confirmed that Tijjani Reijnders will head to Saudi Arabia, joining Al Qadsiah for a fee estimated at £51 million. In another high‑profile move, Barcelona are set to complete a medical for Rodri, the Spanish World Cup winner and former Ballon d'Or nominee, who is expected to leave Manchester City for £65.4 million. The 30‑year‑old midfielder, who has one year left on his contract, had been urged by City to extend his stay, but Barcelona’s third offer proved irresistible.
He is likely to sign a four‑year deal with the Catalan giants, adding further firepower to a side already brimming with talent. The contrasting transfer fees have sparked debate among fans and analysts. Chelsea have placed a £120 million tag on Fernandez, nearly double the amount Barcelona are paying for Rodri. To understand this discrepancy, Sky Sports’ "Between the Lines" series delves into the data behind modern football valuations.
Factors such as a player’s age, contract length, recent form, and the relative strength of their current club all play a role in determining price. Fernandez, at 23, is still considered a rising star with a long career ahead, while Rodri, at 30, is approaching the latter stages of his prime, which helps explain the differing valuations. City’s continued interest in Fernandez reflects their broader strategy to maintain dominance in the Premier League and Europe.
Should they manage to secure the Argentine midfielder, he would add creativity and a youthful spark to a midfield already featuring the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gündogan. However, the financial gamble is significant, and the club must weigh it against other priorities, such as the potential acquisition of Bouaddi and the need to replace departing players. In summary, Manchester City remain engaged in transfer market activity as the deadline approaches, balancing the pursuit of Enzo Fernandez with negotiations for other targets. Chelsea have set a steep price for their midfielder, while Barcelona have already agreed on a substantial fee for Rodri.
The coming days will reveal whether City can pull off a last‑minute deal for Fernandez or if they will shift their focus to alternative options to keep their squad competitive on all fronts.