Manchester City are preparing a formal offer for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández before the transfer deadline, with the Argentina international reportedly open to reuniting with Enzo Maresca at the Etihad.
Manchester City are gearing up to submit a formal bid for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández before the transfer window closes, according to reports, as City look to rebuild a midfield stripped bare by a string of high-profile departures this summer.
Why City Need Fernández So Badly
City’s midfield has been hit hard this transfer window. The club allowed Rodri to join Barcelona in a deal reportedly worth up to €76 million (£65 million), while Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders have also departed, and Nico González is closing in on a move to Newcastle United. With that much central midfield experience walking out the door, head coach Enzo Maresca has made strengthening that area of the squad a clear priority before the deadline.
Fernández represents a natural target for more than just squad-depth reasons — he previously worked under Maresca at Chelsea, and reports indicate the Argentina international is genuinely keen on reuniting with his former coach at the Etihad Stadium. That existing relationship, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, has “opened the doors” for a potential move.
A Price Standoff That’s Dragged On for Weeks
Chelsea set their asking price for Fernández at £120 million earlier this summer and initially imposed a deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday, August 14, for any bids to be submitted. City missed that deadline entirely. Since then, reports on exactly where City stand regarding that £120 million figure have varied significantly, reflecting just how fluid — and at times contradictory — this transfer saga has been.
Some reports suggested City sources had flatly ruled out paying £120 million, or anything beyond it, pointing to the £116 million City paid for Elliot Anderson earlier this summer as an internal benchmark they didn’t want to exceed. According to that account, Chelsea brought in super-agent Jorge Mendes to help bridge the gap between the two clubs, though City’s position reportedly remained firm that £120 million was already too high.
More recent reporting tells a different story, with City now said to be “ready to meet Chelsea’s lofty asking price” and prepared to submit a formal bid ahead of the September 1 deadline. Complicating matters further, some accounts suggest that even if City do move now, Chelsea may demand considerably more than the original £120 million figure, given that City failed to meet the club’s original deadline.
What Fernández Brings to Maresca’s Midfield
Fernández, a 49-cap Argentina international, offers a notably different profile than the departed Rodri. Rather than functioning as a pure defensive anchor, he’s a more attack-minded midfielder, having contributed 20 goals and 10 assists across all competitions for Chelsea last season. Former Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane has previously described him as “exceptional,” and current Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has also spoken highly of him since taking over at Stamford Bridge.
That praise from Alonso adds an extra layer of complexity to the situation — reports suggest Alonso may be reluctant to sanction Fernández’s exit given how much he’s valued him, even as the midfielder’s camp continues working toward a move away from west London.
Fernández’s Current Situation at Chelsea
Despite the ongoing transfer speculation, Fernández remains part of Chelsea’s matchday squad for now. He was named among the substitutes for Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday night and came on as a second-half substitute at Craven Cottage — a sign that, at least for the moment, he remains integrated into Alonso’s plans regardless of how the transfer saga eventually resolves.
Notably, Fernández remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032, giving Chelsea considerable leverage in negotiations regardless of the player’s own wishes regarding a move.
Why This Matters for City’s Title Hopes
Beyond the individual transfer details, City’s midfield rebuild carries real weight for their prospects this season. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has publicly questioned City’s title chances following Rodri’s departure, saying: “A few weeks ago, I thought Man City might have a chance – but it was all around Rodri. If Rodri stayed I’d maybe make a case for them, but without Rodri, I just can’t see it.” That kind of external skepticism adds further pressure on City to land a genuine statement signing in central midfield before the window shuts, with Fernández currently viewed as City’s leading target to fill that gap.
What Happens Next
With the September 1 transfer deadline fast approaching, all signs point toward City making a formal move for Fernández in the coming days, regardless of the mixed signals around exactly how much they’re willing to pay. Given Chelsea’s strong contractual position, Fernández’s own reported willingness to move, and City’s clear need to reinforce midfield before the season progresses further, this transfer saga appears likely to be resolved one way or another before the window closes — though whether it ends in a deal at £120 million, above it, or not at all remains genuinely uncertain based on the conflicting reports currently circulating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much is Chelsea asking for Enzo Fernández? Chelsea set an asking price of £120 million for the midfielder, with an initial deadline of August 14 for bids, which Manchester City missed.
Q: Why does Manchester City need a new midfielder? City’s midfield has been significantly depleted this summer following the departures of Rodri (to Barcelona), Bernardo Silva, and Tijjani Reijnders, with Nico González also closing in on a move to Newcastle United.
Q: Is Enzo Fernández interested in joining Manchester City? Reports suggest he is open to the move, particularly given his previous working relationship with Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca during Maresca’s time at Chelsea.
Q: Will Manchester City definitely sign Fernández? It remains uncertain. Reports have varied on whether City are willing to meet Chelsea’s £120 million valuation, with some suggesting City ruled out paying that figure, while more recent reports indicate City are prepared to meet it before the transfer deadline.
Q: When does the transfer window close? The Premier League transfer deadline is September 1, giving both clubs limited time to reach an agreement if a move is going to happen this summer.
