Chelsea have signaled that they are willing to part with Argentine 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 window shuts. While there have been no reported direct negotiations between the two clubs at this stage, the Blues chose to omit Fernandez from their Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town on Thursday, a decision that has fueled speculation about his future. After the match, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso praised Fernandez, describing him as a "good professional" who has been training diligently.
Alonso added that the club will decide closer to the weekend whether the midfielder will be available for the upcoming Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion. This cautious approach suggests Chelsea are keeping their options open while monitoring interest from the Premier League giants. Manchester City’s pursuit of Fernandez remains active despite the fact that the Blues missed the August 14 deadline to receive formal bids. Earlier in the summer, Chelsea had reached an understanding with Fernandez’s representatives that a £120 million offer would be sufficient to trigger a sale, but no such proposal materialised before the cut‑off.
Consequently, the English club is now left to weigh the potential financial windfall against the sporting impact of losing a key midfield asset. Alonso also hinted that the club is prepared for any eventuality concerning players who might depart before the deadline expires. In particular, Chelsea have identified a few midfield targets to replace or augment the departing talent. Among the names being scouted are Alex Scott from Bournemouth and Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace.
Both clubs consider these youngsters essential to their own plans, making any acquisition a potentially complex negotiation. Manchester City, on their side, have also listed Alex Scott as a possible signing, alongside Roma’s promising midfielder Manu Kone.
The need to reinforce their central midfield has become even more pressing after the recent departure of Rodri to Barcelona, which left a void in Pep Guardiola’s engine room. City have already been active in the market, securing the services of several high‑profile players: Nico González moved to Newcastle for a fee that could rise to £50 million, Tijjani Reijnders transferred to Al Qadsiah for about £51 million, and veteran Bernardo Silva left after his contract expired, joining Real Madrid. In addition, City completed a landmark signing of 18‑year‑old Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £86 million, setting a new world‑record fee for a teenager. England international Elliot Anderson also arrived from Nottingham Forest in a £116 million deal last month, underscoring the club’s willingness to spend heavily on midfield talent.
Returning to Chelsea, Alonso confirmed in his post‑match press conference that the decision to sit Fernandez out of the Carabao Cup tie was purely tactical. "It was just because of the game," he explained, noting that other squad members needed minutes.
He added that the choice was made that afternoon and that he holds no personal grievances against the player. "Enzo is a good professional.
He's training well and I have nothing to say about this. It was just decisions that we have to take thinking about the game that we were playing tonight. We will see for Sunday," Alonso said.
Beyond the midfield saga, Chelsea have also been active in the goalkeeping department. The club agreed to a £7.5 million deal with Aston Villa for the services of Emi Martínez, who is expected to provide competition for current No 1 Robert Sánchez. Sánchez has come under scrutiny after a costly error in a recent Premier League win over Fulham, prompting speculation about his future. Martínez, who became available after Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma for nearly £30 million, was also linked with Juventus, though the Italian giants ultimately opted for Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham.
The goalkeeper situation remains fluid, with questions lingering over whether both Sánchez and backup Mike Penders will retain their places for the remainder of the season. Penders featured in the Carabao Cup match against Luton, while Sánchez started the league game versus Fulham, highlighting the competition for the No 1 jersey. In summary, Chelsea are balancing the potential sale of Enzo Fernandez for a substantial fee against the need to reinforce their midfield and address other squad gaps before the transfer deadline.
Manchester City continue to chase Fernandez while also bolstering their own midfield ranks with a series of high‑profile acquisitions. The coming days will likely see intensified negotiations, possible bids, and further strategic moves as both clubs aim to shape their squads for the challenges ahead.