Manchester City are reportedly weighing the option of submitting a bid for Chelsea's highly rated midfielder Enzo Fernandez as the summer transfer window draws to a close. The interest from the Premier League champions has persisted even though they missed the initial deadline set by Chelsea on August 14 to lodge a formal offer for the Argentine playmaker.
Chelsea, who broke the British transfer record earlier this season by paying £117 million for Morgan Rogers, have placed a valuation of roughly £120 million on Fernandez. That figure reflects the club's original purchase price of £107 million in 2023 plus the expected premium for a player of his calibre. For City, securing Fernandez could prove to be a substantial financial commitment, but the club appears willing to explore the possibility. The Blues have been actively reshaping their midfield in recent months.
They have already off‑loaded several key figures: Rodri departed for Barcelona for a fee of £65.4 million, while Tijjani Reijnders moved to Al Qadsiah for £51 million. Veteran Bernardo Silva was released, and Nico Gonzalez is set to join Newcastle in a £50 million deal.
In contrast, City have been busy reinforcing their own ranks, bringing in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a reported £116 million and completing the signing of Lille’s promising youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi for £86 million on Wednesday. According to Sky Sports News, Fernandez is a top priority for City manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked alongside the midfielder during his stint at Chelsea.
The 25‑year‑old still has six years remaining on his contract, giving the club considerable leverage in any negotiations. Fernandez’s recent disciplinary issue – a two‑match suspension handed down by Chelsea after he hinted at a possible move while on international duty – adds another layer of intrigue to the saga. Earlier in July, Real Madrid were linked with the player, but the Spanish giants ultimately ruled out a transfer. City’s ambitions in midfield are not limited to Fernandez.
The club has also been linked with Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Roma’s Manu Kone, indicating a broader strategy to bolster the central areas. However, Bournemouth have made it clear that Scott is not for sale this window, and Chelsea have also expressed interest in the English midfielder, who has two years left on his deal but has reportedly turned down an improved contract offer. In addition to midfield targets, Chelsea are reportedly entertaining a late‑season approach for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
The Argentine international’s representatives have made the player available to the London club, while current Chelsea No.1 Robert Sanchez has faced criticism after a costly error in the recent victory over Fulham. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that Fernandez will feature in the upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town.
The midfielder, who came off the bench in Chelsea’s opening league match against Fulham, is expected to start or at least play a significant part on Thursday. "He’s training well, he’s a professional, and we expect him to be involved," Alonso told reporters.
When asked about Fernandez’s long‑term future, Alonso replied, "We want the best team possible. He has shown his qualities, and we’ll see how things develop." James Savundra of Sky Sports News added context to the ongoing negotiations: "Chelsea set a deadline earlier this month for clubs to submit a bid of up to £120 million for Fernandez. Manchester City missed that deadline, but they have not ruled out interest.
The relationship between the two clubs has been strained ever since Maresca left Chelsea around Christmas, with City paying £17 million in compensation for that departure." Savundra continued, "City have generated significant funds this window by selling a record number of players, so they have the financial capacity to meet Chelsea’s asking price. Moreover, Maresca’s personal admiration for Fernandez makes the midfielder a prime target for the Citizens." If City do decide to make an offer, they will need to navigate a delicate balance between meeting Chelsea’s valuation and managing the financial implications of their recent spending sprees.
The club’s recent acquisitions have already stretched their wage bill, and any additional outlay will have to be justified by the potential impact Fernandez could have on a side looking to reclaim the Premier League title. The coming days will be crucial for both clubs.
Chelsea will be monitoring any formal approach from City while also weighing alternative options in the market, such as the possible pursuit of Martinez or other midfield reinforcements. For Manchester City, the decision will hinge on whether they believe Fernandez can elevate their midfield creativity and control, complementing the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan and the newly signed Elliot Anderson. Fans of both teams will be watching closely, as the outcome could shape the competitive landscape of English football for the next few seasons.
The transfer window remains open for a short period, and any last‑minute deals are likely to generate significant headlines across the sport.