Chelsea lost patience with Manchester City and set a deadline for the opponent to make an offer for Enzo Fernandez.
According to British media, Chelsea announced that they will not consider any offers for Fernandez after 5 pm this Friday (local time). However, when the summer transfer window only closes at 11 pm on September 1st, the possibility that the two clubs will continue negotiations in the last days cannot be ruled out.
The Blues want to collect £120 million for Fernandez, who joined the team from Benfica for £106 million in January 2023. This price shows that Chelsea still appreciates the 25-year-old midfielder, even though his future at Stamford Bridge is becoming unpredictable.
Fernandez is said to be dissatisfied with the situation at Chelsea after Enzo Maresca left the coaching position. The relationship between the Argentine midfielder and the club became tense in April, when he was excluded from the squad for 2 matches after statements related to Chelsea when returning to international duties.
Previously, Fernandez was said to be considering the possibility of moving to Real Madrid this summer. However, the deal did not become a reality and Man City is currently emerging as the most potential destination if Chelsea agrees to sell the player.
Chelsea believes that Man City has been pursuing Fernandez for a long time but still extended the negotiation process to the final stage of the transfer window. The London team therefore wants to receive a clear answer before the deadline set.
Meanwhile, Man City is still having to solve many problems in midfield. The Citizens are negotiating with Barcelona about Rodri's future. If the Spanish midfielder leaves Etihad, Man City will need a quality replacement.
Man City currently still has many options in midfield. Tijjani Reijnders may be in the group of players considered for sale if the club needs to create space, while Elliot Anderson, Nico Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic are also ready to take on different roles. Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden may also be used in midfield.
In that context, Fernandez is considered a suitable choice. The Argentine midfielder has the ability to operate widely and best develops in the number 8 position. He can also combine with Anderson, a player who leans towards the number 8 role rather than a pure defensive midfielder.
Man City is also interested in Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille. The Moroccan player plays as a defensive midfielder and can take on the number 6 role if Rodri leaves. However, Bouaddi is also said to have a transfer price of over 100 million pounds.
Fernandez was once a student highly appreciated by Maresca at Chelsea. Man City's recruitment of him will help the Italian strategist have another important option to build the midfield as desired.
However, Fernandez is not an easy player to manage. He was once determined to leave Benfica to join Chelsea and is now facing a major turning point in his career.
Chelsea still affirms they are satisfied if Fernandez continues to stay. However, with a price of 120 million pounds and interest from Man City, the future of the Argentine midfielder at Stamford Bridge may be decided in the last days of the transfer window.
