Reuters/Matthew Childs
Manchester City are in talks with Chelsea to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez, GIVEMESPORT understands. The Argentina World Cup winner is City's leading target in a move driven by Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea are prepared to sanction an exit providing their valuation is met and a new signing is found. Chelsea would look to add to their squad, but there is no guarantee the profile they pick will be a like-for-like replacement for Fernandez.
Chelsea set a deadline of Friday, August 14 at 5pm to receive a written £120million bid for Fernandez. City didn't respond to this and were busy finalising the exit of Rodri to Barcelona at the time.
Yet City have always felt Chelsea will sell between now and the end of the window despite the deadline elapsing. Fernandez is keen on the move, and to link up with his former Chelsea manager Maresca.
Chelsea will likely ask for either more than £120million or a more preferable structure to the one offered before August 14.
Top ten most expensive Premier League signings
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Player From To Price
Alexander Isak Newcastle United Liverpool £125m
Morgan Rogers Aston Villa Chelsea £117m
Elliot Anderson Nottingham Forest Manchester City £116m
Florian Wirtz Bayer Leverkusen Liverpool £116m
Moises Caicedo Brighton & Hove Albion Chelsea £115m
Enzo Fernandez Benfica Chelsea £108.6m
Declan Rice West Ham United Arsenal £105m
Jack Grealish Aston Villa Manchester City £100m
Sandro Tonali Newcastle United Tottenham Hotspur £100m
Romelu Lukaku Inter Milan Chelsea £97.5m
It means Fernandez could be one of the most expensive Premier League signings, and if the fee surpasses the £125million that saw Alexander Isak move to Liverpool last summer, the 25-year-old's move would become a record sale in England.
Fernandez featured off the bench in Chelsea's 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday. He has been booed by some sections of the Chelsea fan base, but others have responded by chanting his name. It is also unclear whether those jeering Fernandez are doing so solely due to his desire to leave or because Argentina knocked England out of the 2026 World Cup.
GMS understands City are confident on completing the signing of Fernandez.
Chelsea could strengthen in midfield, with Alex Scott a player they appreciate. Yet Bournemouth expect Scott to stay and Chelsea have not returned with any bid since seeing a £64million offer rejected earlier in the summer. There has been no fresh contact between the clubs.
It is also possible Chelsea opt for a more creative-minded attacker given Fernandez played under Maresca as an eight and even as a ten at times, whereas when he arrived from Benfica he had been utilised in Portugal in a more disciplined six role.
If Pedro Neto also departs, Chelsea may feel they can add a central or right-sided attacking midfielder or forward. There is no guarantee Neto exits but Chelsea are prepared to entertain offers close to £100million.