Chelsea have signalled that they are willing to let Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez move to Manchester City, provided the price meets their expectations and they can still strengthen their own roster before the transfer window shuts. While no formal negotiations between the two clubs have been reported so far, the Blues left Fernandez out of the squad for Thursday's Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town, hinting that a decision may be looming. 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 cautious approach suggests that Chelsea are weighing the player's future against their immediate squad needs. Manchester City have continued to express interest in Fernandez despite missing the August 14 deadline that would have allowed them to submit a formal bid. Earlier in the month, Chelsea had reached an understanding with Fernandez's representatives that a £120 million offer would be acceptable by that date, but no such proposal materialised.
Alonso reiterated that the club is prepared for any outcome regarding players who might depart before the deadline, underscoring the fluid nature of the market. In terms of reinforcements, Chelsea are reportedly eyeing midfield options such as Alex Scott from Bournemouth and Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace. Both clubs, however, consider those players essential to their own plans and are unlikely to entertain offers, making the search for a suitable replacement more challenging. Manchester City, on the other hand, have broadened their midfield shopping list.
In addition to Fernandez, they have identified Alex Scott as a potential target and are also monitoring Roma's Manu Kone. The urgency of bolstering their central midfield has intensified after the recent departure of Rodri to Barcelona, leaving a notable void in Pep Guardiola's side.
The summer transfer activity in England has been particularly lively. Nico Gonzalez left Chelsea for Newcastle United in a deal that could rise to £50 million, while Tijjani Reijnders transferred to Al Qadsiah for around £51 million.
Bernardo Silva also exited City after his contract expired, subsequently joining Real Madrid. City have not been idle, though. They secured the services of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for a reported £86 million, setting a world‑record fee for a teenager.
England international Elliot Anderson was also acquired from Nottingham Forest for roughly £116 million, further demonstrating City’s willingness to invest heavily in young talent. Alonso explained his decision to omit Fernandez from the Carabao Cup lineup, stating that it was purely a tactical choice based on the demands of that particular match. "We have other players who need minutes," he said, adding that the decision was made in the afternoon and was not a reflection on Fernandez's professionalism or training standards.
In other transfer news, Chelsea have agreed to a £7.5 million deal with Aston Villa for goalkeeper Emi Martinez. The Blues are reportedly considering this move after their current number one, Robert Sánchez, faced criticism for a costly error in the recent Premier League win over Fulham.
Martinez becomes available after Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma for close to £30 million, and although Juventus showed interest, they ultimately opted for Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur. The goalkeeper situation at Stamford Bridge now appears uncertain.
Both Sánchez and backup keeper Mike Penders could see reduced playing time, especially after Penders started the Carabao Cup tie against Luton while Sánchez was preferred for the league match against Fulham. Overall, Chelsea are navigating a complex transfer window, balancing the potential departure of a high‑profile midfielder with the need to plug gaps across the squad. Manchester City, meanwhile, are aggressively pursuing midfield reinforcements to replace the departing Rodri and maintain their competitive edge on multiple fronts.
The coming weeks will likely reveal whether Fernandez's move materialises, how Chelsea reshapes its midfield, and which goalkeepers ultimately secure the starting roles at the club. Fans can stay updated through the Sky Sports app, which offers live transfer centre updates, Premier League ins and outs, and the latest headlines. For those interested in a bit of extra excitement, the Super 6 competition provides a chance to win £1 million with free entry.