Manchester City are reportedly weighing the possibility of submitting a bid for Chelsea's midfield dynamo Enzo Fernandez as the transfer window draws to a close. The English giants have kept their interest alive even after missing the August 14 deadline that Chelsea set for receiving offers for the Argentine international. Chelsea, who broke the British transfer record earlier this summer by paying £117 million for Morgan Rogers, have placed a valuation of around £120 million on Fernandez.
That figure reflects the £107 million they originally paid for him in 2023 plus the premium they expect given his rapid development. City, meanwhile, are in the midst of a major overhaul of their midfield ranks. They have already off‑loaded several key figures: Rodri departed for Barcelona in a £65.4 million deal, Tijjani Reijnders moved to Al‑Qadsiah for £51 million, veteran Bernardo Silva was released, and Nico González is set to join Newcastle for roughly £50 million.
To replace those exits, the Citizens have already splashed out on a number of high‑profile signings. Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for a reported £116 million, while French prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi was secured from Lille for about £86 million. The club’s recruitment strategy clearly aims to rebuild a midfield capable of supporting Pep Guardiola’s evolving tactical approach, and Fernandez fits that blueprint perfectly.
Sky Sports News has indicated that the 25‑year‑old is a top priority for City’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Fernandez during his tenure at Chelsea. Fernandez still has six years left on his contract, giving City ample time to negotiate a long‑term deal if they can meet Chelsea’s price tag. Fernandez’s recent history at Chelsea has been a roller‑coaster.
He was handed a two‑match suspension toward the end of last season after suggesting on international duty that he was open to a move away, sparking rumors of interest from Real Madrid. The Spanish giants, however, dismissed the notion of a transfer in early July. Beyond the Fernandez saga, Manchester City are also scouting other midfield options.
Reports suggest they have their eyes on Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Roma’s Manu Kone, though Bournemouth have publicly declared that Scott is not for sale and are prepared to turn down any bids. Chelsea, too, have shown interest in Scott, despite the player’s refusal to sign an improved contract that would extend his stay. In another twist, Chelsea are contemplating a late‑season acquisition of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez. The Argentine keeper’s representatives have approached the Blues, who are currently dissatisfied with their number one, Robert Sánchez, after a costly error in a recent Premier League win 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 role on Thursday. "Yes, we expect that he's involved," Alonso told reporters, adding that the Argentine has been training exceptionally well and is a consummate professional. When asked about the player’s future, Alonso said, "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." James Savundra of Sky Sports News provided further insight, 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 continued interest suggests they may still be prepared to negotiate.
Savundra highlighted the strained relationship between the two clubs, stemming from a compensation dispute when Maresca left Chelsea around Christmas and City paid £17 million in settlement. The lingering question remains: how much is City willing to spend for a player who appears to be Maresca’s primary target? Given the club’s recent record‑breaking sales, they have the financial firepower to meet Chelsea’s asking price, but the final figure will depend on how far Chelsea is prepared to go in negotiations.
In summary, Manchester City’s midfield rebuild is well underway, with Enzo Fernandez at the centre of their strategic plans. Whether the transfer materialises will hinge on the negotiations between the two clubs, the price tag Chelsea is willing to accept, and City’s appetite for further investment as the window closes.
The situation remains fluid, and fans of both clubs will be watching closely for any developments in the coming days.