Chelsea gives Man City a deadline for Enzo Fernandez with a new transfer strategy never seen before
Chelsea have reportedly given Manchester City a deadline of 5pm this Friday (August 14) to sign Enzo Fernandez.
City’s coach Enzo Maresca is eager to work with Fernandez again, as they were together at Chelsea before.
All summer, there have been talks about Fernandez possibly leaving Chelsea. At first, it seemed he might join Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, but their interest has cooled down.
Chelsea have set Fernandez’s price at £120 million. If City pays that, it would be their most expensive signing ever. They have already broken their record this summer, paying £116 million for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea told City about the deadline and shared Fernandez’s value with his agent since last season ended.
The report says: “Fernandez’s future at Chelsea is not certain. This summer, the club didn’t put him on the ‘not for sale’ list. In April, he was suspended for two games because of comments he made while with the Argentina national team, where he criticized club decisions and seemed interested in a move to Real Madrid.
“His agent, Javier Pastore, mentioned earlier this year that contract talks aren’t moving forward. Right now, Fernandez’s current contract runs until 2032.”
Even with transfer talks going on, Chelsea’s coach Xabi Alonso wants Fernandez to stay.
Fernandez’s midfield teammate, Moises Caicedo, also hopes he stays at Stamford Bridge.
“I love Enzo,” Caicedo said in early August. “I have a lot of respect for him. We know how good a player and person he is. I want him to stay, because he’ll be very important for us. He will think and do what’s best for him.”
When asked if Fernandez can handle the pressure from transfer rumors, Caicedo said: “Definitely. He is strong and confident. He’s a World Cup winner. He can manage the pressure and keep playing well.”
Fernandez, who won the World Cup in 2022, has returned to Chelsea’s training, and was seen with his teammates on August 12.
Under contract until 2032, Fernandez has played 169 games for Chelsea, scoring 31 goals and providing 30 assists.