Manchester City are reportedly preparing a bid for Chelsea’s midfield talent Enzo Fernandez as the transfer window draws to a close. Despite missing the initial deadline set by Chelsea on August 14 to submit offers for the Argentine playmaker, the English champions have not abandoned their pursuit. The Blues have placed a British‑record price tag of £117 million on forward Morgan Rogers this summer, and they value Fernandez at roughly £120 million – a figure that reflects the £107 million they originally paid for him in 2023 plus the premium accrued over the past year. It is likely that any offer from City will need to match or exceed that valuation if the deal is to be taken seriously.
City are in the midst of a major overhaul of their midfield department. 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 from his contract, and Nico González is set to join Newcastle in a £50 million deal. To replace those exits, the Citizens have splashed out heavily this summer, bringing in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million and signing Lille’s promising youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi for £86 million on Wednesday.
According to Sky Sports News, Fernandez tops the list of targets for City’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with the midfielder during his time at Chelsea. The 25‑year‑old still has six years remaining on his current contract, giving the club ample negotiating power.
Fernandez’s relationship with Chelsea has been somewhat strained; he was suspended for two matches toward the end of last season after he hinted at a possible exit while on international duty, a move that coincided with rumored interest from Real Madrid. Madrid ultimately dismissed the possibility of a transfer in early July, leaving the door open for other suitors.
In addition to Fernandez, City are said to be monitoring other midfield options, including Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Roma’s Manu Kone. However, Bournemouth have made it clear that Scott is not for sale and will turn down any bids, even as Chelsea also express interest in the English international.
Scott has two years left on his deal but has signalled his unwillingness to accept an improved contract, suggesting he may be looking elsewhere. Chelsea themselves are not standing still. The club is reportedly considering a late‑season move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, whose agents have approached the Blues with a proposal.
This comes after Chelsea’s current number one, Robert Sánchez, faced criticism for a costly error in the recent win over Fulham. Manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that Fernandez will feature in Chelsea’s upcoming Carabao Cup clash with Luton Town.
The midfielder came off the bench in the league opener against Fulham and is expected to start or play a significant part on Thursday. “Yes, we expect that he’s involved,” Alonso told reporters. “He’s training well, he’s a good professional and he will be involved.” When pressed about the midfielder’s long‑term future, Alonso replied, “We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities; he has shown them, and we have to wait and see how things develop.” James Savundra of Sky Sports added context, noting that Chelsea had set a deadline earlier in the month for clubs to submit offers up to £120 million for Fernandez.
While City missed that deadline, their interest remains. Savundra highlighted the complicated relationship between the two clubs, recalling that Chelsea’s season was disrupted by the departure of Maresca around Christmas and that City paid £17 million in compensation for their role in that saga. He questioned how far Chelsea would be willing to negotiate given the strained ties and the previously disclosed asking price. Financially, City appear well‑placed to meet Chelsea’s demands.
The Citizens have generated a record inflow of cash this window through the sales of several high‑profile players, giving them the flexibility to splurge on a marquee signing. Moreover, Maresca’s personal admiration for Fernandez could tip the scales in favour of a substantial bid. In summary, Manchester City are actively pursuing Enzo Fernandez despite missing Chelsea’s formal deadline, and they have the resources and managerial enthusiasm to make a competitive offer.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are juggling multiple transfer targets while navigating a delicate relationship with their north‑London rivals. The next few days will be crucial in determining whether Fernandez stays at Stamford Bridge or makes a high‑profile move to the Etihad Stadium.