Chelsea
CHELSEA
Enzo Fernandez looks set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with personal terms already agreed for a big move to Manchester City. There is growing belief that Chelsea will finally let their star midfielder go, as per the latest transfer news.
Enzo Fernandez Nears Manchester City Move
As reported by Sky Sports, the Blues would sell Enzo Fernandez if a fair fee comes in. That price must also let them buy new players before the window shuts. There were no direct talks between the two Premier League clubs by Thursday night. But things shifted when Enzo Fernandez was left out of the squad for a Carabao Cup win over Luton.
Xabi Alonso played down the move. He said it was just about giving other players game time. He also called the midfielder a “good professional” who trains hard every day. The timing raised questions, since the player had started almost every league game last season.
A deadline set by the Blues passed in August without City making a bid worth £120m. Even so, interest from Manchester has not faded. Personal terms are said to be close to done. The player is also believed to have given the move his blessing, which clears one of the biggest hurdles in any transfer talks. Both clubs know time is short, with the window closing on September 1.
Enzo Fernandez’s numbers for Chelsea in 2025/26, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists Chances Created Duels Won
Premier League 36 10 4 68 137
FA Cup 4 2 1 10 16
EFL Cup 4 0 0 6 12
UCL 10 3 2 14 39
Why Chelsea Are Ready to Let Him Go
Squad planning is a big part of this. The Blues already have their eyes on other midfielders, such as Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Both clubs have made clear neither man is available this window. Still, talks are said to be moving along quietly behind the scenes.
Finances matter too. City have raised funds this summer by selling Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid and sending Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah. Nico Gonzalez’s move to Newcastle also freed up space. These changes give City room to test Chelsea’s asking price without upsetting their football plans elsewhere.
This pattern of dealings shows how City tend to plan ahead in the transfer market. There is a personal side to this too. Enzo Fernandez worked closely with Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge. That bond seems to matter now, as Maresca tries to bring his old midfielder to Manchester City.
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What Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City Means
For the player, this would feel like a reunion, not a risk. Joining Maresca again at the Citizens could suit Enzo Fernandez well, since he thrived under him before. City’s recent signings, including Elliot Anderson and teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, show a squad built around similar ideas in midfield.
For Chelsea, losing their record signing would mark a real change. The club has already moved to strengthen elsewhere, agreeing a £7.5m deal for Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez. That points to a squad being rebuilt from the back, not just adjusted. Robert Sanchez has also come under fire since that Fulham mistake, which adds further context to the move. This suggests Chelsea are planning several moves at once rather than reacting to one single deal.
Based on how both sides are acting, a deal before September 1 looks likely. Neither club wants this to drag into winter. With personal terms in place, the last step may simply be City meeting Chelsea’s price.