Chelsea Set £120m Price as City Weigh Enzo Fernández Move

Manchester City are considering an opening bid for Enzo Fernández before the transfer deadline after missing Chelsea’s earlier deadline for offers.

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Manchester City prepare an opening offer

According to Sky Sports, Manchester City are considering making a bid for Fernández despite missing the August 14 deadline Chelsea had set for clubs to submit an offer. That deadline came and went, but City’s interest has continued.

Sky Sports News has reported that Fernández remains a top target for City boss Enzo Maresca, who worked with the Argentine at Chelsea. City are in the middle of a significant midfield rebuild, having sold Rodri to Barcelona for £65.4m and Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah for £51m, while releasing Bernardo Silva and agreeing for Nico Gonzalez to join Newcastle for £50m.

They have already spent heavily to replace those departures, paying £116m for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and £86m for Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. Whether Fernández becomes the next name on that list depends on what City are prepared to pay and whether Chelsea are willing to negotiate.

Chelsea’s position on Fernández

Chelsea’s valuation of Fernández is £120m, a figure the club set when establishing its August deadline, as covered in our earlier report on the Fernández valuation. That is higher than the £107m Chelsea paid Benfica for him in 2023, and it could take a fee above the British-record £117m Chelsea spent on Morgan Rogers this summer for City to complete a deal.

The midfielder has six years left on his contract, which gives Chelsea significant leverage on both fee and timing. Fernández was suspended for two matches towards the end of last season after casting doubt over his future while on international duty, amid reports linking him with Real Madrid, who later ruled out a move in early July.

When asked whether he expected Fernández to stay, Xabi Alonso said Chelsea wanted the best team possible and would have to wait to see how matters developed. The Chelsea head coach’s comments underline that the situation remains unresolved, a theme our previous coverage of the City pursuit has followed.

What the offer could mean for Chelsea

A late departure would leave Chelsea needing a replacement quickly, with few central midfielders of Fernández’s profile readily available at this stage of the window. Alonso has confirmed that Fernández will be involved against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, which indicates Chelsea are planning with him in the squad for now.

Sky Sports News’ James Savundra has said the relationship between the two clubs is strained, partly stemming from the £17m compensation City paid Chelsea over Maresca’s departure. That history could complicate negotiations even if City table an offer. Any search for a replacement would depend on Chelsea sanctioning a sale first.

What happens next

For now, City are considering a bid after missing Chelsea’s earlier deadline. Chelsea’s £120m valuation and Fernández’s involvement against Luton mean his future remains unresolved as City weigh their next move.

In other news

Chelsea are also considering a late move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after his representatives offered him to the club, with Robert Sanchez coming under criticism following his error at Fulham.

Manchester City remain interested in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, though Bournemouth insist he is not for sale this window, with Chelsea also interested.