Enzo Fernandez and Manchester City are ready to make a final push to finalise a transfer.
Enzo Fernandez started on the bench in Chelsea's win vs Fulham.
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Chelsea are bracing themselves for an offer from Manchester City for midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The 25-year-old is ready to leave Chelsea this summer after three-and-a-half years at the club following his arrival in early 2023 from Benfica.
Fernandez has made his desire to join Man City and reunite with Enzo Maresca, who left Chelsea at the start of 2026 to succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad this summer.
He featured off the bench on Monday night in Chelsea's 3-2 win over Fulham in the Premier League, receiving initial boos from a section of the Chelsea away end. Fernandez also received applause and chants of support, since he is still on the club's books.
But his time at Stamford Bridge could be coming to a sour end. Towards the end of the season, his agent, Javier Pastore, made it clear he was looking at potential destinations for his client, including Real Madrid and Man City.
Real Madrid confirmed they had no interest, but Man City have been interested in Fernandez all summer. They didn't meet Chelsea's August 14 deadline to pay the asking price of E120 million.
Chelsea have since removed the desired conditions, indicating that Man City will have to make an improved bid to convince the Blues to sell, and that Xabi Alonso's side must find a replacement before Tuesday's deadline.
But now Fernandez's future is set to be resolved in the coming days one way or another, and the wheels look set to be in motion for Man City to wrap up a move.
Fernandez makes decision as Man City ready bid
As reported by ESPN Argentina, Man City are ready to make another push for the Chelsea midfielder with a bid worth around €145m (£124m).
Given Chelsea's initial stance of £120m earlier this month, it remains unclear whether they are ready to cut ties for just over the initial asking price. After all, it would put an end to the saga, which, even if the club didn't want to admit it, has created unnecessary distractions at the start of the season.
Fernandez may have played his final game for Chelsea. He has informed Chelsea of his desire to make the move north, with Maresca and Pastore both hoping to make the transfer happen.
Man City have now been given the green light to make the bid, and now it's a matter of time. The ball will then be in Chelsea's court to deliberate and to find a replacement should they deem it a bid worth accepting.
Alonso admitted after the Fulham victory that he wants the saga wrapped up as soon as possible, indicating the uncertainty is helping nobody.
"In football, I am not surprised by anything," Alonso told the BBC. "We will see. My wish is that we know what will happen for the future but we will see this week."
If Fernandez leaves, Chelsea have been eyeing Bournemouth's Alex Scott among several other midfielders to replace him.