Chelsea have indicated that they are willing to let midfielder Enzo Fernandez move to Manchester City provided the financial terms meet their expectations, and they are also keen 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. After the win, manager Xabi Alonso praised Fernandez as a "good professional" who has been training diligently, but he added that the decision on whether the Argentine will be available for the upcoming Premier League clash with Brighton will be taken closer to the match date.
City’s interest remains alive even though they missed Chelsea's internal deadline of 14 August to submit a bid for the player. Chelsea had previously reached an understanding with Fernandez’s representatives that a £120 million fee would be acceptable before that deadline, but no offer materialised, leaving the transfer in limbo. Alonso also remarked before the Luton game that the club is "prepared for whatever" happens with any players who might depart before the window closes. In terms of potential replacements, the Blues are reportedly eyeing a few midfield options.
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have been mentioned as possible targets, although both of their current clubs consider them essential and are unlikely to sell. Manchester City, meanwhile, have also listed Scott as a midfield prospect alongside Roma’s Manu Kone, as they look to bolster the centre of the park after Rodri’s recent move to Barcelona. The midfield market has been particularly active this summer.
City have already secured several high‑profile signings: Nico González left for Newcastle in a deal that could rise to £50 million, Tijjani Reijnders headed to Al‑Qadsiah for roughly £51 million, and veteran Bernardo Silva departed on a free transfer to Real Madrid after his contract expired. In addition, the Etihad saw the arrival of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £86 million, a world‑record fee for a teenager, and England international Elliot Anderson joined from Nottingham Forest for £116 million. 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 said, noting that other squad members needed minutes.
He added that the choice was made that afternoon and emphasized Fernandez’s professionalism and training standards, leaving the door open for his involvement on Sunday. Chelsea are also active in the goalkeeping department. The club has agreed on a £7.5 million deal with Aston Villa for the services of Emi Martínez, following criticism of current No 1 Robert Sánchez after an error in the recent win over Fulham.
Martínez became available after Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma for close to £30 million, and although Juventus showed some interest, they ultimately opted for Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham. This move raises questions about the future of both Sánchez and backup keeper Mike Penders at Stamford Bridge.
Penders started the Carabao Cup tie against Luton, while Sánchez featured in the league win at Fulham. Overall, Chelsea appear to be navigating a complex transfer window, balancing the potential departure of a key midfielder with the need to reinforce multiple positions. The club’s willingness to negotiate a substantial fee for Fernandez suggests they are looking to reinvest the funds into new talent, while also ensuring they have adequate depth for the remainder of the season.
As the deadline approaches, fans can expect further updates on both outgoing and incoming moves, with the midfield and goalkeeping areas being the primary focus of speculation.