Chelsea have signalled that they are willing to part ways with Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez, should Manchester City present a price that meets the Blues' expectations. The club’s stance is clear: they will consider a sale, but only if the financial terms are satisfactory and if they can still bolster their own squad before the transfer window shuts. At present, there have been no reported direct negotiations between the two clubs.
Nevertheless, Fernandez was omitted from Chelsea’s squad for Thursday’s Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town, a decision that has drawn attention from both fans and the media. In the post‑match press conference, manager Xabi Alonso described Fernandez as “a good professional who has been training well,” and indicated that the decision about his availability for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Brighton will be revisited closer to matchday.
Manchester City’s interest in the 22‑year‑old 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 sale, but no such proposal materialised.
Alonso added that the club is prepared for any eventuality concerning players who might depart before the window closes, underscoring a pragmatic approach to squad planning. In terms of potential replacements, Chelsea have identified a couple of midfield options. One is Alex Scott, currently plying his trade at Bournemouth, while the other is Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace.
Both of those clubs have publicly stated that they consider the players unsellable at this stage, which could complicate any immediate transfer. Meanwhile, Manchester City have also listed Alex Scott among their targets, alongside Roma’s promising youngster Manu Kone, as they look to reinforce their central midfield after Rodri’s exit to Barcelona earlier in the month.
The midfield overhaul is a priority for City, who have already been active in the market. Recent departures from the Etihad include Nico González, who moved to Newcastle United for a fee reported to be as high as £50 million, and Tijjani Reijnders, who transferred to Al Qadsiah for roughly £51 million.
Veteran Bernardo Silva also left the club after his contract expired, signing for Real Madrid. In addition, City completed a landmark signing this week: Ayyoub Bouaddi arrived from Lille for £86 million, setting a world‑record price for a teenager. England international Elliot Anderson was also secured from Nottingham Forest for £116 million last month, further demonstrating City’s willingness to spend heavily on midfield talent.
Alonso explained the reasoning behind leaving Fernandez out of the Carabao Cup lineup. "It was purely a tactical decision," he said. "We have other players who needed minutes, and the choice was made this afternoon. Enzo is a good professional, he trains well, and there is nothing negative to say about him.
It was simply a decision based on the requirements of the game we were playing. We will reassess his involvement for Sunday." Beyond the midfield, Chelsea have been active in other areas of the squad. The club has reached an agreement with Aston Villa for a £7.5 million transfer fee to bring in goalkeeper Emi Martínez.
This move comes after current first‑choice keeper Robert Sánchez faced criticism for a costly error in the recent Premier League win over Fulham. Martínez, who became a free agent 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 Hotspur. The goalkeeper situation at Stamford Bridge now raises questions about the future of both Sánchez and backup keeper Mike Penders.
Penders started the Carabao Cup match against Luton, while Sánchez was in goal for the league win at Fulham. Their respective roles may be re‑evaluated as the season progresses, especially if Martínez secures the starting spot. In summary, Chelsea are positioning themselves to possibly cash in on Fernandez, but only if the offer aligns with their valuation and if they can simultaneously address other squad needs.
Manchester City remain eager to add the Argentine to their ranks, viewing him as a key piece in the wake of Rodri’s departure. Meanwhile, both clubs continue to navigate a busy transfer market, with numerous high‑profile moves already completed and more likely to unfold before the deadline.
The situation remains fluid, and fans can expect further updates as negotiations develop and squad selections are finalised for the upcoming fixtures.