The Enzo Fernandez saga is set to run until Tuesday's transfer deadline. Will Man City finally reach an agreement to sign the Chelsea midfielder?
Enzo Fernandez is among several Chelsea players who could leave before the transfer deadline.
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Manchester City are ready to put their full attention on the pursuit of Enzo Fernandez ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to Man City to reunite with Enzo Maresca, who he worked with at Chelsea before he departed earlier this year to succeed Pep Guardiola at the Etihad this summer.
Man City failed to meet Chelsea's asking price of £120 million before August 14, a couple of weeks ago, but talks have continued between Man City and Fernandez's camp. It remains unclear what the Blues’ new valuation is if they were to sell Fernandez.
The Chelsea midfielder has been left out of Chelsea's last two matchday squads against Luton Town and Brighton and Hove Albion, with manager Xabi Alonso revealing the Argentine's lack of desire to play for the Blues amid ongoing uncertainty over his future.
Alonso revealed: “We need the players that are in the best situation to play. We need to take everything into consideration: players that are in good moments, players that are not feeling that energy to play.
“For me it’s very important that they feel that desire to play and to have good preparation. We talked, and we decided that (for Luton) it was better not to be part of the squad. He’s a top player, there’s no doubt about that."
Man City have been pursuing other targets in the meantime, including Liverpool's Cody Gakpo. However, as reported by David Ornstein, the Reds rejected an £80m bid, and Gakpo is now set to stay at Anfield after all parties were in direct communication to confirm the deal is off.
Maresca's side are now suggested to be 'fully focused' on trying to sign Fernandez before Tuesday's 11pm (UK) deadline.
What needs to happen for Chelsea to be ready to sell Fernandez?
Whatever is now may be, Chelsea's asking price needs to be met first and foremost. They paid £106.8m back in 2023 and they valued Fernandez at £120m all summer.
But now, more importantly, given the end of the window is approaching, Chelsea need to find a replacement to sanction Fernandez's exit if a fee is agreed.
Chelsea have been linked with AS Roma's Manu Kone, while AS Monaco's Lamine Camara has also surfaced as a potential midfielder option for the Blues.
Alonso will be desperate for the deadline to come so he can build on Chelsea's 100 per cent start to the season, which has seen them beat Fulham and Brighton to begin their Premier League campaign.
"Anything that happens before Tuesday evening, we need to be aware of what is going to develop," the Spaniard admitted after their win against Brighton on Sunday.
"We are not sure, we are preparing for all the scenarios but I am sure that whatever happens from Wednesday we will have a good enough squad to compete in all the Premier League games."
Fernandez's camp has been pushing to find him a new club after failed contract negotiations with Chelsea, who hold leverage over the midfielder's situation in west London. The midfielder is under contract until June 2032.
The next 24 hours leading up to the deadline will test Man City's interest. How much do they and Maresca want Fernandez?