Chelsea have made it clear that they are willing to part ways with midfielder Enzo Fernandez, should Manchester City present an offer that meets their valuation, 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 chose to leave Fernandez out of the squad for Thursday's Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town, a decision that has sparked speculation about his future. After the win, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso praised Fernandez as a "good professional" who has been training diligently.
He added that the club will decide closer to the weekend whether the Argentine will be available for Sunday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion. This measured approach suggests that Chelsea are keeping their options open, weighing both the potential financial windfall from a sale and the need to plug gaps in their own roster.
Manchester City’s interest in Fernandez has persisted despite the fact that Chelsea’s internal deadline of 14 August for receiving a bid was missed. The Blues had previously reached an understanding with Fernandez’s representatives that a £120 million offer by that date would be sufficient to trigger a move, but no such proposal materialised.
Consequently, the deadline passed without a deal, leaving the situation in limbo. Alonso also hinted ahead of the Luton game that Chelsea are prepared for any eventuality involving players who might depart before the window closes. Among the midfield targets the club is reportedly eyeing are Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Both of those clubs, however, view their young talents as essential assets and are unlikely to sanction a sale at the moment.
City, on their part, have identified a number of midfield options besides Fernandez. They have shown interest in Alex Scott as well as Roma’s promising youngster Manu Kone. Strengthening the central midfield area has become a heightened priority for Manchester City after the recent exit of Rodri, who transferred to Barcelona earlier this month.
The loss of a player of Rodri’s calibre left a noticeable void in Pep Guardiola’s engine room, prompting the English giants to explore multiple avenues to restore balance. Recent activity in the transfer market underscores the fluid nature of midfield business. Nico González departed Chelsea for Newcastle United in a deal that could rise to £50 million, while Tijjani Reijnders moved on to Al Qadsiah for around £51 million.
Bernardo Silva also left City at the end of his contract, subsequently signing for Real Madrid. In a separate high‑profile move, City secured Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for a reported £86 million, setting a world‑record fee for a teenager. England international Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for a staggering £116 million, further illustrating City’s willingness to invest heavily in midfield talent. Returning to the Chelsea side, 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, noting that other squad members needed minutes to maintain match fitness. When asked when he made the call, Alonso said he decided that afternoon, emphasizing that it was a strategic choice rather than a reflection on Fernandez’s professionalism or form.
In addition to midfield considerations, Chelsea have been active in the goalkeeping department. The club has agreed to a £7.5 million deal with Aston Villa for the services of Emi Martínez. The move comes after first‑choice keeper Robert Sánchez faced criticism for a costly error in a recent Premier League win over Fulham. Martínez, who became available after Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma for nearly £30 million, was also linked with Juventus, though the Italian club ultimately opted for Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur.
The arrival of Martínez could create a healthy competition for the No 1 spot, raising questions about the future of both Sánchez and backup keeper Mike Pender. Pender, who started the Carabao Cup tie against Luton, may find his playing time limited if Martínez secures the starting role.
Meanwhile, Sánchez’s recent performances have been under scrutiny, and the club’s management will need to decide whether to retain both goalkeepers for the remainder of the season or make further adjustments. Overall, Chelsea’s transfer strategy appears to be a balancing act: they are open to cashing in on a valuable asset like Fernandez, yet they are also intent on reinforcing key areas, particularly midfield and goalkeeper, before the deadline.
The club’s willingness to negotiate with multiple parties, coupled with the ongoing interest from top clubs such as Manchester City, suggests that the next few weeks will be pivotal in shaping Chelsea’s squad for the upcoming campaign. Fans can stay updated on the latest developments through the Sky Sports app, which offers live transfer centre updates, Premier League ins and outs, and breaking headlines.
As the window draws to a close, the Blues will need to make decisive moves to ensure they remain competitive on all fronts, while also managing the financial implications of any high‑value departures. In summary, Chelsea are ready to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City if the price aligns with their expectations, and they are simultaneously exploring midfield reinforcements and a new first‑choice goalkeeper to bolster the squad ahead of the season’s crucial stages.