Chelsea have signalled that they are willing to part ways with midfielder Enzo Fernandez, should Manchester City present a price they deem appropriate, and they are also keen to strengthen their own squad before the transfer window shuts. While no formal negotiations between the two clubs have been reported so far, the Blues left Fernandez out of their Carabao Cup triumph over Luton Town on Thursday, hinting that his future may be under review. After the match, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso praised Fernandez as a "good professional" who has been training diligently. He added that a decision regarding the Argentine's availability for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Brighton will be taken closer to the date, underscoring the manager's pragmatic approach to squad rotation.
Manchester City remain interested in the 22‑year‑old despite missing the August 14 deadline that would have allowed them to submit a formal bid. The club had previously agreed with Fernandez's representatives that a £120 million offer would be acceptable, but no such proposal materialised before the cut‑off, leaving the transfer in limbo. Alonso also remarked, ahead of the Luton game, that Chelsea are "prepared for whatever" happens with players who might depart before the window closes.
In that vein, the club have identified several midfield targets to replace or supplement the departing talent. Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton have both been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, although their current clubs have publicly described them as "unsellable" at this stage. Manchester City, for their part, have also listed Alex Scott as a potential acquisition, alongside Roma's promising youngster Manu Kone.
The need to reinforce the centre of the park has become even more pressing for Pep Guardiola's side after the surprising exit of Rodri to Barcelona earlier this month, creating a sizable void in the midfield engine room. Recent activity in the transfer market has seen City make several high‑profile moves. Nico González departed for Newcastle United in a deal that could rise to £50 million, while Tijjani Reijnders moved on to Al‑Qadsiah for roughly £51 million. Long‑time servant Bernardo Silva left on a free transfer and subsequently joined Real Madrid.
In a striking statement of intent, City completed the £86 million signing of teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, setting a new world‑record fee for a player of his age. Moreover, England international Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for a reported £116 million, further bolstering the squad's depth. Alonso confirmed in his post‑match press conference that the decision to omit Fernandez from the Carabao Cup squad was purely tactical.
"It was just because of the game," he explained, adding that other players needed minutes to maintain match sharpness. When asked about the timing of the decision, the manager replied, "In the afternoon. It's a decision that I took.
Enzo is a good professional. He's training well and I have nothing to say about this.
It was just a decision we have to make thinking about the game we were playing tonight. We will see for Sunday." Beyond the midfield saga, Chelsea have also been active in the goalkeeping department. The club reportedly reached an agreement with Aston Villa for a £7.5 million fee to secure the services of Emi Martínez. Sky Sports News suggested that the Blues are considering this late‑season acquisition after their current number one, Robert Sánchez, faced criticism for a costly error in a recent victory over Fulham.
Martínez, who has been linked with a move after Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma for nearly £30 million, was also on Juventus' radar, though the Italian giants ultimately opted for Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham. These developments raise further questions about the future of both Sánchez and backup keeper Mike Penders at Stamford Bridge. Penders started the Carabao Cup tie against Luton, while Sánchez featured in the league win over Fulham, indicating that the manager is still evaluating his options between the posts. In summary, Chelsea are navigating a complex transfer window.
They are open to negotiating a lucrative exit for Enzo Fernandez with Manchester City, while simultaneously scouting midfield reinforcements and addressing the goalkeeper position. The club's willingness to adapt and make strategic purchases reflects Xabi Alonso's desire to keep the squad competitive on all fronts as the season progresses. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Blues can secure the right deals to maintain their ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.