Chelsea’s self-imposed deadline of 5pm yesterday for any club to make a suitable offer for Enzo Fernandez passed by without Manchester City, or any other club, submitting an offer for the Argentinian international. If Chelsea stick to their guns, Enzo Fernandez will remain a member of Xabi Alonso’s squad for the 2026-27 season. However, that may not prove to be the case. It has been reported that City retain an interest in signing Enzo Fernandez. Perhaps this particular move will play out in a completely different fashion than the manner in which Chelsea would have preferred.
Manchester City didn’t respond to Chelsea’s self-imposed deadline for a bid for Enzo Fernandez to arrive.
Matt Law has reported for The Telegraph that Manchester City didn’t submit an offer for Enzo Fernandez by the time that Chelsea’s deadline for £120 million bids to come in expired. Chelsea’s deadline for such offers to arrive was 5pm yesterday. Chelsea have reportedly taken the £120 million figure off the table in relation to selling Enzo Fernandez. It is also reported by Matt Law that Chelsea are now working off the assumption that Enzo Fernandez will be a part of Xabi Alonso’s squad for the upcoming season.
However, Matt Law reports that Manchester City retain legimate interest in Enzo Fernandez. It is also reported by Law that sources suggest that Chelsea would consider a £120 million bid for Enzo Fernandez were it to arrive past their self-imposed deadline.
Miguel Delaney has reported for The Independent that any potential Manchester City move for Enzo Fernandez is reliant upon Rodri being sold to Barcelona in a timely fashion. For now, City are frustrated with Barcelona’s efforts to sign Rodri. City have rejected two offers from Barcelona for Rodri. Neither have come close to the £70 million price tag City have placed on Rodri.
It is also reported by Delaney that City’s efforts to sign Enzo Fernandez are running parallel to Barcelona’s bid to sign Rodri. Furthermore, Delaney reports that while Chelsea’s deadline passed yesterday, sufficient progress has been made in talks by City to sign Enzo Fernandez. Due to the Rodri situation, City could still make their play to sign Chelsea’s controversial midfielder.
The Enzo Fernandez tale seems to still have legs.
Chelsea’s self-imposed deadline for any move for Enzo Fernandez did look like it could bring a speedy resolution to speculation on his future. However, that does not seem to be the case. Manchester City still retains an interest in signing Enzo Fernandez. Matt Law and Miguel Delaney’s reports point to this. So it does seem that City will submit an offer for Enzo Fernandez at some point. They look to have laid a lot of the groundwork to do so.
Perhaps as Miguel Delaney reports, Rodri’s future is the key that unlocks any offer to Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez. Barcelona are currently falling short of City’s valuation to sell arguably the best midfielder in world football. The La Liga champions do seem to be acting like the smartest club in the room with their approach to sign Rodri. If that situation doesn’t change, maybe Rodri doesn’t head home to Spain. The Rodri situation seems to be shaping any potential City move for Enzo Fernandez.
If Chelsea stick to their self-imposed deadline for Enzo Fernandez, any Manchester City bid to sign him will be doomed to fail. However, City’s interest in the World Cup-winning midfielder remains. This situation remains one to watch for the remainder of the summer transfer window. Chelsea tried to avoid this scenario but it would appear like that effort may have failed.