Chelsea remain open to selling Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City before the transfer window closes, provided the fee allows the club to reinvest and strengthen the squad elsewhere. No direct club-to-club talks between Chelsea and City are believed to have taken place yet, but Fernandez’s absence from Thursday night’s Carabao Cup win over Luton has fuelled continued speculation over his future.
Where Things Stand
City’s interest in Fernandez persists despite missing a 14 August deadline Chelsea had set for a formal bid. Chelsea had agreed with the midfielder’s representatives that he could leave for £120 million if an offer arrived by that point, but none materialised in time.
Fernandez started Chelsea’s opening Premier League fixture of the season against Fulham but was left out entirely for the Luton tie. Head coach Xabi Alonso said after the game that Fernandez remains a good professional who has continued training well, and that a decision on his involvement against Brighton on Sunday would be made closer to the match. Alonso also indicated the club is prepared for any outcome regarding players who could still depart before the deadline.
Potential Replacements Already Being Considered
Chelsea are said to be considering Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as potential midfield reinforcements should Fernandez leave, though both players are currently regarded as unsellable by their respective clubs. Notably, City themselves have also been linked with Scott, alongside Roma’s Manu Kone, as they continue reshaping their own midfield.
Why City’s Midfield Rebuild Has Intensified
Strengthening central midfield has become an even greater priority for City following Rodri’s departure to Barcelona earlier this month. City have also lost Nico Gonzalez, who has just 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 offset those exits, City have already brought in Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in an £86 million deal a world-record fee for a teenage player along with England international Elliot Anderson, signed from Nottingham Forest for £116 million last month.
Why Alonso Left Fernandez Out Against Luton
Addressing the decision directly in his post-match press conference, Alonso said the call to omit Fernandez was purely football-related, driven by a need to give other squad members valuable minutes in the competition. He confirmed the decision was made on the afternoon of the game and stressed there was nothing more significant behind it, reiterating that Fernandez remains a good professional with no issues in training, before turning attention to the upcoming decision over his involvement against Brighton.
Chelsea Agree Deal for Emi Martinez
Separately, Chelsea have agreed a £7.5 million deal with Aston Villa to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Chelsea are understood to have considered a late move for the Argentine after current No.1 Robert Sanchez faced criticism following an error during Monday’s win at Fulham. Martinez needed a new destination after Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma for close to £30 million, and had also drawn interest from Juventus though the Italian club opted to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham instead.
The move raises fresh questions over the goalkeeping pecking order at Stamford Bridge, with both Sanchez and Mike Penders now facing uncertainty over their game time this season. Penders started Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against Luton, having been an unused option when Sanchez started against Fulham.
Quick Facts: Chelsea’s Latest Transfer Business
- 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: Ayyoub Bouaddi (£86m), Elliot Anderson (£116m)
- New Chelsea signing: Emiliano Martinez (£7.5m, Aston Villa)
- Chelsea’s next fixture: Brighton (Sunday)
