Chelsea have informed Manchester City that they must reach an agreement to sign Enzo Fernandez for £120 million by 5pm on Friday, according to reports. The ultimatum comes as City pursue the Argentine midfielder as their next marquee signing after completing a £116m deal for Elliot Anderson earlier this summer.
Deadline Set for Friday Afternoon
According to The Athletic, Chelsea are not prepared to wait on City and have told their Premier League rivals that the £120m asking price for Fernandez will only hold until 5pm on Friday afternoon. The report claims that Chelsea will keep Fernandez at Stamford Bridge if City are unable to reach an agreement before the deadline.
City have identified Fernandez as a top target to bolster their midfield, but Chelsea are insistent on a swift resolution. The deadline adds pressure on City to finalise terms or risk losing the 25-year-old, who has been a key figure for the Blues since his arrival in January 2023.
Maresca's Departure and Rodri's Future
The situation is further complicated by the potential departure of Rodri from Manchester City. Barcelona have submitted an improved £51.3m (€60m) bid for Spain’s World Cup-winning captain, according to sources. City manager Enzo Maresca faces the prospect of losing both Rodri and potentially missing out on Fernandez, which would leave a significant gap in his squad.
Fernandez had a strong relationship with Maresca during their time together at Chelsea, and speaking in March, the Argentine criticised the club over the Italian’s sudden exit. “I don’t understand it either,” Fernandez told Mexican broadcaster TUDN. “Sometimes there are things that we as players don’t understand, how and in what way they try to manage things.”
Fernandez's Loyalty and Alonso's Stance
Fernandez expressed his disappointment at Maresca's departure, saying: “Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot because we had an identity. He gave us an order, even though, as is the way of football, sometimes it’s good and bad. But he always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing, and obviously his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, it cuts everything short.”
Current Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has made it clear he wants Fernandez to remain at the club. Speaking last month, Alonso said: “Yes we have spoken. But as you can imagine what we have spoken remains private.”
The deadline set by Chelsea means City must act quickly if they are to secure Fernandez's signature. Should they fail, Chelsea will retain the midfielder, and the focus will shift to other targets for City as they look to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes.
