Chelsea have signalled that they are willing to part with Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez if Manchester City meets the valuation they consider appropriate, and they are also looking 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, sparking fresh speculation about his future. After the match, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso praised Fernandez as a "good professional" who has been training diligently, but explained that the decision to include him in the squad for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Brighton would be made closer to game day. Alonso’s comments suggest that the player’s omission was a tactical choice rather than a disciplinary one, and that the coaching staff are still evaluating how best to utilise him in the short term.
Manchester City’s interest in Fernandez remains strong despite the fact that they missed Chelsea’s internal deadline of 14 August to submit a formal bid. The Blues had previously reached an understanding with Fernandez’s representatives that a transfer fee of around £120 million would be acceptable, but no offer materialised before the deadline expired. Alonso reiterated that Chelsea are prepared for any outcome concerning players who might depart before the window closes, indicating that the club has contingency plans in place. In terms of midfield reinforcements, Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a few options.
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have been mentioned as potential targets, although both of their current clubs have publicly stated that they consider the players unsellable at this stage. Meanwhile, Manchester City are also monitoring Scott, alongside Roma’s emerging talent Manu Kone, as part of their own search for a replacement in central midfield after Rodri’s recent move to Barcelona.
The need to bolster the midfield has become even more urgent for City. Rodri’s departure left a significant gap in Pep Guardiola’s side, prompting the English giants to pursue several high‑profile names. Recent activity at the Etihad includes the record‑breaking signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £86 million – the highest fee ever paid for a teenager – as well as the acquisition of England international Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million.
In addition, the club saw the exit of several senior players: Nico González left for Newcastle on a deal that could rise to £50 million, Tijjani Reijnders transferred to Al‑Qadsiah for £51 million, and Bernardo Silva departed after his contract expired, joining Real Madrid. Back in London, Chelsea have also moved on in the goalkeeping department.
The club agreed to a £7.5 million deal with Aston Villa for the services of Emi Martínez, who becomes available after Villa signed young Japanese keeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for nearly £30 million. Martínez was previously linked with Juventus, but the Italian side opted for Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham instead. This acquisition comes amid criticism of current Chelsea No.
1 Robert Sánchez, whose error in a recent victory over Fulham raised questions about his status as the first‑choice keeper. The arrival of Martínez could create a competitive environment for the goalkeeper spot, potentially affecting the future of both Sánchez and backup Mike Penderi, who started the Carabao Cup match against Luton.
Alonso addressed Fernandez’s omission from the Luton match in the post‑match press conference, explaining that the decision was made that afternoon based on the tactical requirements of the game and the need to give minutes to other squad members. He emphasized that there was nothing personal involved and that Fernandez remains a valued professional who is training well. The manager left open the possibility that Fernandez could feature in the upcoming league fixture, depending on the team’s needs and the opponent’s profile.
Overall, Chelsea appear to be navigating a delicate balancing act: they are open to selling a prized asset like Fernandez for a price that reflects his potential, while simultaneously seeking to reinforce key areas of the squad before the transfer deadline. Their interest in midfield options such as Scott and Wharton suggests a desire to maintain depth and quality in the center of the park, even as they monitor the market for other opportunities.
For Manchester City, the pursuit of a replacement for Rodri has intensified, and Fernandez remains a top target despite the missed deadline, with the club likely to revisit their offer once they have a clearer picture of their budget and the availability of alternative candidates. Fans of both clubs will be watching closely as the window draws to a close, eager to see whether a deal can be struck that satisfies Chelsea’s valuation and City’s ambition to secure a world‑class midfielder. The next few days could see significant movement in the transfer market, with potential ripple effects on other positions, such as the goalkeeper spot at Chelsea, where the arrival of Emi Martínez adds a new dynamic to the competition for the starting role. As always, the final decisions will hinge on negotiations, medicals, and the strategic priorities of each club as they aim to build squads capable of competing on domestic and European fronts.