Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
If Chelsea thought the 5pm deadline last Friday would stop the rumours circulating around midfielder Enzo Fernandez, they have been proven badly wrong.
Man City failed to meet the deadline last week. Chelsea hoped that would be that, and Fernandez could now focus on playing for Chelsea ahead of the Premier League opener against Fulham next Monday.
Pedro Neto of Chelsea
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But that has not come to pass. Man City are still pursuing Fernandez and actually, Enzo Maresca’s side are now better-placed to sign him thanks to the imminent sales of Rodri, Savinho and Tijjani Reijnders.
Chelsea are now just a week away from the beginning of their Premier League campaign, but between then and now, it remains up in the air which shade of blue Fernandez will be wearing. Below, is the latest.
READ MORE: Italian media claim Chelsea want £43m Serie A star, he could replace Fernandez
Inside the Enzo saga as City’s unofficial £115m bid is revealed
Chelsea v Everton - Premier League
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Spanish outlet AS have detailed an intriguing article that includes three important details. Firstly, they say that Chelsea remain open to the sale of Fernandez despite the deadline being missed by City last week.
The Community Shield proved City need more quality in midfield and Maresca will know that. Chelsea are not in Europe and have spent £350m on 11 signings. It could explain why Chelsea are still willing to sell.
Jorge Mendes drafted in by Behdad Eghbali to orchestrate talks
The relationship between Chelsea and City is a poor one, thanks to Maresca himself. Eventually, that issue was sorted with City paying a £17m compensation fee for Maresca, after approaching him in December.
Enzo Fernandez and Enzo Maresca hugging graphic
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
But that has led to a poor relationship, and the constant links between City and Maresca’s old players will not help. Missing the deadline worsens that link. A mediator is required and Behdad Eghbali has moved.
The Chelsea chief has brought in super agent Jorge Mendes to help dictate talks between the two clubs. Mendes was crucial to Fernandez’s move to Stamford Bridge from Benfica back in January 2023.
Man City’s unofficial bid was inches away from Chelsea’s price tag
Another crucial detail from inside the Fernandez saga was that prior to the deadline, City unofficially offered a fee of £115m to Chelsea for Fernandez. Apparently, it fell on deaf ears; Chelsea stayed stubborn.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
It is the same amount that Chelsea paid Benfica, and it would engineer a massive book profit but, perhaps out of principle, Chelsea rejected it. It is unclear, now after the deadline, if £120m is still the asking price.
With time running out in the transfer window, Chelsea could up the asking price as the Blues will be left with less time to replace Fernandez. Alex Scott, Adam Wharton, and Morgan Gibbs-White are targets.