Chelsea have made it clear that they are willing to part ways with midfielder Enzo Fernandez should Manchester City present a price they deem satisfactory, and they are also looking to strengthen their own squad before the transfer deadline shuts. While there have been no formal negotiations reported between the two clubs, the Blues chose to leave Fernandez out of the squad for Thursday's Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town. Following the win, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso praised Fernandez as a "good professional" who has been training diligently.
Alonso added that a decision regarding his availability for the upcoming Premier League clash with Brighton will be made closer to the match date, indicating that the player's status remains fluid. Manchester City’s interest has persisted despite the fact that Chelsea’s original deadline of 14 August for a bid on Fernandez passed without any offer. The two sides had previously agreed that a £120 million fee would be acceptable to the player’s representatives, but no formal proposal materialised before the cutoff. Alonso also remarked before the Luton game that the club is "prepared for whatever" happens with players who might depart before the window closes.
In that context, Chelsea have identified a few midfield options they could target, namely Alex Scott from Bournemouth and Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace. Both of those clubs, however, view their respective players as essential and are unlikely to entertain offers. On the other side of the English Channel, Manchester City have also listed Alex Scott among their midfield targets, alongside Roma’s emerging talent Manu Kone. The need to bolster the central midfield area has become even more pressing for City after the recent departure of Rodri to Barcelona, leaving a notable gap in Pep Guardiola’s engine room.
Recent activity in the transfer market has seen City make several high‑profile moves. Nico González left for Newcastle on a deal that could rise to £50 million, while Tijjani Reijnders transferred to Al Qadsiah for around £51 million. Veteran Bernardo Silva also exited the club after his contract expired, subsequently joining Real Madrid. In a striking statement of intent, City completed the signing of French teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £86 million, setting a new world‑record fee for a player of his age.
The following month, England international Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest in a £116 million deal, underscoring the club’s willingness to spend heavily on young talent to reinforce the midfield. Returning to Chelsea, 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 squad members needed minutes.
When asked when he made the call, Alonso said he decided that afternoon, emphasizing that the choice was based on the specific demands of the fixture rather than any off‑field issues. Meanwhile, Chelsea have also moved to secure a new goalkeeper. The club has agreed to a £7.5 million deal with Aston Villa for the services of Emi Martínez. This potential signing comes after current first‑choice keeper Robert Sánchez faced criticism for an error in the recent win over Fulham.
Martínez, who became available after Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma for close to £30 million, was also linked with Juventus, though the Italian giants ultimately opted for Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham. The goalkeeper situation at Stamford Bridge now raises questions about the future of both Sánchez and backup keeper Mike Pender. Pender started the Carabao Cup tie against Luton, while Sánchez had been in goal for the league match versus Fulham. Their roles could be reassessed depending on Martínez’s arrival and the club’s overall plans for the season.
In summary, Chelsea are balancing the potential sale of Enzo Fernandez for a figure that reflects his market value with the need to reinforce key areas, particularly in midfield and goalkeeping. Manchester City, meanwhile, continue to pursue multiple midfield options to replace Rodri, demonstrating a clear intent to invest heavily in young, promising talent. Both clubs are navigating a busy transfer window, and the next few weeks will likely reveal how these strategic moves shape up for the remainder of the campaign.