Will Man City make move for Fernandez as Chelsea's deadline approaches?

What the report says

Chelsea have set Manchester City a Friday 17:00 BST deadline to make an offer for Enzo Fernandez, according to BBC Sport Football. The club value the Argentina midfielder at £120m, and the reported interest would bring him back together with new City manager Enzo Maresca, who previously coached him at Chelsea. Maresca said on Friday he did not expect any immediate transfer activity, but BBC Sport said talks could still develop behind the scenes.

BBC Sport reported that any move for Fernandez appears tied to the future of Rodri. City are not planning to bid for Fernandez unless the Spain midfielder leaves, with Barcelona described as the main destination in the chase for Rodri. City are asking for around £68.4m for him, while Barcelona’s opening offer was said to be well below that figure. BBC Sport’s reporting suggested the two transfers are connected, though they do not have to be completed at the same time.

Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica for about £107m in 2023, and Maresca used him heavily during his time at Stamford Bridge. The article said Chelsea would either keep the player or receive a major fee if a deal happens, while City could add another high-cost midfielder after already signing Elliot Anderson this summer. The story sits within a wider period of major change at City after Pep Guardiola’s departure and a summer of heavy spending and squad turnover.