Manchester City have opened direct club-to-club talks with Chelsea over a move for Enzo Fernandez, according to Sky in Italy. It follows earlier reporting that Chelsea were prepared to sell the Argentina midfielder to City for the right price, provided any fee received allows the Blues to further strengthen their own squad before the transfer window closes.
A Deal That’s Been Building for Weeks
City’s interest in Fernandez has persisted despite missing Chelsea’s 14 August deadline for a formal bid. Chelsea had agreed with Fernandez’s representatives that he could leave for £120 million if an offer arrived by that point, but none materialised in time. Fernandez himself started Chelsea’s opening Premier League fixture against Fulham, but has since been left out of matchday squads for both the Carabao Cup tie against Luton and the subsequent Premier League match against Brighton — fuelling continued speculation over his immediate future.
Why City’s Midfield Rebuild Has Intensified
Strengthening central midfield has become an increasingly urgent priority for City following Rodri’s departure to Barcelona earlier this month. City have also lost Nico Gonzalez, who completed a move to Newcastle worth up to £50 million, alongside Tijjani Reijnders’ £51 million exit to Al Qadsiah and Bernardo Silva’s departure to Real Madrid following the expiry of his contract.
To help offset those departures, City have already completed a world-record deal for a teenage player, signing Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £86 million, and brought in England international Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million back in July.
Quick Facts: Enzo Fernandez to Man City
- Fernandez’s original fee to Chelsea: £107m (from Benfica, 2023)
- Previously agreed sale terms: £120m (deadline passed 14 August)
- City’s midfield departures this summer: Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva
- City’s midfield arrivals so far: Ayyoub Bouaddi (£86m), Elliot Anderson (£116m)
- Fernandez’s recent involvement: Started vs Fulham; left out vs Luton and Brighton
