Manchester City are reportedly weighing the possibility of submitting a formal offer for Chelsea's highly regarded midfielder Enzo Fernandez as the summer transfer window draws to a close. The English champions have kept their interest alive even though they missed the initial deadline set by Chelsea on August 14 for any bids on the Argentine playmaker.
Chelsea, having broken the British transfer record earlier this summer by spending a staggering £117 million on Morgan Rogers, now value Fernandez at around £120 million. The Blues originally acquired the 25‑year‑old for a fee of £107 million in 2023, and his contract still contains six years of commitment, making him a valuable asset both on the pitch and in the market. City are in the midst of a substantial midfield overhaul.
Recent departures include Rodri, who moved to Barcelona for £65.4 million, and Tijjani Reijnders, who transferred to Al Qadsiah for £51 million. The club also released veteran Bernardo Silva and is set to see Nico González head to Newcastle for a reported £50 million. To replace those exits, Manchester City have already splashed out heavily, securing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million and, just this week, signing Lille's promising youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi for £86 million.
According to Sky Sports News, Enzo Fernandez has emerged as a top priority for City’s manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked alongside the midfielder during his own stint at Chelsea. Maresca’s familiarity with Fernandez’s abilities and character appears to be a driving factor behind the renewed pursuit. Despite the missed deadline, sources suggest that City remain keen and may still approach Chelsea with a revised proposal that reflects the current market dynamics. Fernandez’s recent season has not been without controversy.
Near the end of the previous campaign, Chelsea suspended him for two matches after he hinted at a possible departure while on international duty. At the time, there were rumors linking him with a move to Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants publicly dismissed any interest in early July.
The suspension, however, did not diminish his standing within the squad, and he continues to feature prominently under new manager Xabi Alonso. Alonso confirmed that Fernandez will be part of Chelsea’s upcoming Carabao Cup fixture against Luton Town, noting that the midfielder has been training well and remains a professional in the dressing room. "He’s trained, he’s training really well. He’s a good professional and he will be involved," the manager said during a press conference.
When asked about the player’s future, Alonso was cautiously optimistic, stating, "We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities; he has shown them, and we have to wait. We'll think about tomorrow and see how things develop." Beyond the Fernandez saga, Manchester City are also scouting other midfield options.
Reports indicate that the club has shown interest in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Roma’s Manu Kone, aiming to add depth and versatility to their central areas. Bournemouth, however, have made it clear that Scott is not for sale, rejecting any offers that might come their way this window. Chelsea have also thrown their hat in the ring for Scott, despite his two‑year contract and his recent refusal of an improved deal from the Cherries.
Chelsea themselves are contemplating a late‑season acquisition of Aston Villa’s Argentine goalkeeper Emi Martinez. Martinez’s representatives have reportedly approached Chelsea with the possibility of a move, while current Chelsea No.1 Robert Sánchez has faced criticism after a costly error in the club’s recent victory over Fulham. The financial backdrop to the Fernandez negotiations is complex.
Earlier this month, Chelsea set a deadline for interested clubs to submit a bid of up to £120 million, effectively establishing the player’s asking price. While Manchester City missed that deadline, they have not ruled out making an offer later, especially given the club’s recent inflow of cash from a record‑breaking series of player sales.
The relationship between the two clubs has been strained after a contentious episode last season, when Maresca left Chelsea around Christmas and City were forced to pay £17 million in compensation for their role in the departure. James Savundra of Sky Sports News highlighted the delicate nature of any potential negotiation, noting that Chelsea’s asking price remains around £120 million and that City’s willingness to meet that figure will likely hinge on how much they value Fernandez as Maresca’s preferred target. "City should have money to spend now because they've sold a record number of players in this transfer window, and we know Maresca loves Fernandez," Savundra said. In summary, while the transfer deadline looms, Manchester City’s interest in Enzo Fernandez persists, driven by a combination of tactical need, managerial preference, and the financial flexibility afforded by recent sales.
Whether the two clubs can bridge the gap on price and navigate their fraught recent history remains to be seen, but the midfielder’s future appears to be a central storyline as the summer market reaches its climax.