The Argentine has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge all summer.
Fulham v Chelsea FC - Premier League 2026/27
Enzo Fernandez is wanted by Man City (Image: Getty)
We’re just over 24 hours away from the summer transfer window ending, and Enzo Fernandez’s future is still up in the air. The Argentine is subject to interest from Manchester City, but time is running out before Tuesday night’s deadline.
Enzo Maresca has identified his former player Fernandez as his dream addition to City’s midfield, with the Chelsea man said to be open to the move. He’s been left out of Chelsea’s last two match-day squads, with the belief from the player and City being that a deal will be struck before the clock strikes 11pm on Tuesday.
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But even if Fernandez to City gets over the line, the World Cup winner will be hit with an immediate blow. And that’s because his preferred No.8 shirt number is currently occupied by former team-mate Mateo Kovacic.
The Croatian, who has one year left on his deal at the Etihad Stadium, spent a brief period of time with Fernandez before he joined City in 2023. Fernandez originally took on the No.5 when he arrived from Benfica in January 2023, before assuming the No.8 following Kovacic’s exit the following summer.
But No.5 is also occupied at City by Elliot Anderson. The lowest available number for the Argentine is the No.7 after Omar Marmoush joined Tottenham. The No.13 Fernandez wore at Benfica and the No.24 he wears for Argentina are both also already taken.
There has been a breakthrough on the transfer front as far as Chelsea midfielders go, with Manu Kone and Lamine Camara emerging as serious targets in the final days of the window. Camara, who has been subject to interest from Liverpool, appears to be closing in on a move from Monaco.
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Chelsea v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Final
Enzo Fernandez wore No.8 at Chelsea (Image: Getty)
However, there have been suggestions that Chelsea want to add two midfielders to their ranks before sanctioning the departure of Fernandez. The other is looking like it might be Kone, another player who has fielded interest from clubs in the Premier League, and should be available for a fairly respectable price from Roma.
Chelsea gaffer Xabi Alonso was asked about Fernandez’s future, with the Spanish midfielder replying: “We’ll see. We want the best for the team. That’s why we made the decision against Luton and today.
Anything that happens before Tuesday evening, we need to be aware of what is going to develop. 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.”
On the pitch, both clubs have started strongly. City secured their second win of the season away to Crystal Palace, following late drama against Bournemouth on opening night, while Chelsea also have two wins from two after high-scoring victories against Fulham and Brighton.