Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso(Image: Ryan Pierse)
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It is now a waiting game when it comes to Enzo Fernandez's future.
Chelsea set an unofficial deadline of last Friday for potential suitors to match their £120million asking price for the 26-year-old midfielder. But no club sent an offer to the Blues.
There is, at the time of writing, still an expectation the Argentina international will be playing his football at Stamford Bridge beyond the September 1 deadline. However, an offer from Manchester City could still happen this week. Interest from Enzo Maresca in Fernandez will surely have intensified following the agreement with Barcelona for Rodri to move to the Camp Nou.
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Sources insist the terms and conditions for Fernandez to move for £120m are now off the table. Any offer from City would have to be considerably more to take the Argentine away from west London.
Fernandez received a mixed reception at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon in Chelsea's final pre-season friendly of the summer. In what was the midfielder's first - and only - pre-season game following an extended break due to his World Cup exploits with Argentina, he only started training with the first-team group last week.
When Fernandez came on in the second half, some Chelsea supporters booed the central midfielder while others cheered him and chanted his name. The division amongst the fan base is quite remarkable. All of them, though, will be intrigued to see if he is in Xabi Alonso's squad for Chelsea's trip to Arsenal on September 6 - the Blues' first game following the conclusion of the summer transfer window.
Elsewhere, suitors for Pedro Neto have been warned it will take an offer close to £100m to sign the Portugal international. Stamford Bridge insiders insist the west Londoners are not actively looking to sell Neto but will do business for the right price. The 26-year-old has interest from the Premier League and overseas with just over two weeks of the window to go.
As does Tosin Adarabioyo. The 28-year-old defender is a target for Marseille and Benfica, amongst others, with Chelsea willing to sell the centre back before next month's deadline. Tosin also has admirers from the Premier League, with Alonso looking to trim down his options at the back.
Axel Disasi is expected to leave, whether it be on a permanent deal or a loan. Crystal Palace are one of numerous sides interested in the French defender. Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino are both expected to head out on season-long loan deals. Chelsea want Sarr to stay in the Premier League for the upcoming campaign.
Malo Gusto has interest from Manchester City but his £75m price tag means Maresca's side have taken a proverbial step back. Chelsea are more inclined in allowing Gusto to leave following the £47m arrival of versatile full back Marco Palestra earlier in the summer.
Mykhailo Mudryk is expected to depart on a loan deal for the upcoming season. Strasbourg is an option for the Ukrainian winger, who is in desperate need of competitive minutes, but he also has numerous interested parties in the Premier League.
Omari Kellyman is set to depart Chelsea on a permanent deal. Strasbourg chiefs are in talks with their sister club over the purchase of Kellyman. Sources close to the situation insist they expect this deal to be completed but it is not quite there yet.
Chelsea striker Marc Guiu could leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis. Sources say the sale of the 20-year-old forward is the likelier option at the time of writing, with Premier League and Champions League clubs keen on signing the Barcelona academy graduate. The Blues are demanding a fee in the region of £25m to sell Guiu.
Nicolas Jackson has a £65m price tag on his head and has several Premier League admirers, including Aston Villa. Chelsea, meanwhile, want in excess of £50m for Liam Delap, who has suitors from England and abroad. The Blues are also trying to find a permanent home for outcast David Datro Fofana.