Enzo Fernandez set to stay at Chelsea after £120m deadline passes
Enzo Fernandez is now expected to remain at Chelsea this season after the club’s 5pm deadline passed without an acceptable £120million offer arriving for the midfielder.
Chelsea had given Manchester City and any other interested club until Friday evening to meet their valuation for Fernandez, bringing a firm end point to one of the summer’s longest-running transfer stories.
ReadChelsea reported when Chelsea imposed the deadline that the Blues were prepared to keep the Argentina international if their demands were not met.
That deadline has now passed.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea’s £120m price is no longer on the table, with the prospective deal now considered off.
🚨🔵 Chelsea have not received any official bid for Enzo Fernández — as their own 5pm UK time ‘deadline’ has now passed.#CFC inform £120m verbal ‘exit clause’ made available to Enzo’s camp for potential suitors at end of May is now off the table. pic.twitter.com/7aZZiq934S
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2026
Enzo Fernandez expected to stay at Chelsea
Chelsea now expect Fernandez to remain at Stamford Bridge, according to Alex Crook and Jack Rosser.
Manchester City had shown serious interest in the 25-year-old as uncertainty continued around Rodri’s future, but no deal was completed before Chelsea’s cut-off.
City manager Enzo Maresca had already suggested earlier on Friday that his club would not make a signing before the deadline.
The Guardian reported that City were not expected to meet Chelsea’s 5pm demand despite their interest in Fernandez.
There had been conflicting claims on Thursday over whether City had submitted a €120m proposal, but subsequent reporting said Chelsea had not received an official bid.
Chelsea’s position has now removed that uncertainty.
Fernandez can instead prepare to play a major role under Xabi Alonso, who has consistently indicated that he would be happy for the midfielder to remain part of his squad.
The decision also gives Alonso clarity before Chelsea’s final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad and the start of the Premier League campaign.
Unless Chelsea unexpectedly reopen negotiations later in the window, Fernandez’s immediate future now appears to be at Stamford Bridge.
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