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Enzo Fernandez is in advanced talks to join Manchester City. (Image: Getty)
Chelsea have been sent mixed messages over a possible £120million transfer deadline day sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City. The Argentine midfielder is hoping to seal a reunion with former Blues boss Enzo Maresca at the Etihad, but months of negotiations have extended until the very final day of the window, with just hours remaining to finalise terms.
Club-to-club talks were reopened again on Monday night and City are thought to be confident that they can get a move over the line before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline. Fernandez, meanwhile, is desperate to leave Stamford Bridge and play in the Champions League this season.
No transfer fee has been agreed just yet, though personal terms are not thought to be an issue.
But Chelsea have received both caution and understanding about selling one of their star players to a Premier League rival.
Many have described Xabi Alonso’s side as potential title challengers after their attack blitzed through Brighton and Fulham to win both of their opening games.
If Chelsea are to compete at the very top of the division, then strengthening a rival will leave fans scratching their heads.
But supporters are split over the prospect of Fernandez leaving.
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In an Express Sport poll asking if Chelsea should sell the 25-year-old to City for £120m, 58 per cent of voters responded ‘yes’, while 42 per cent thought that the Blues should call off the transfer.
Fans are largely at a deadlock over whether Chelsea would benefit from letting their vice-captain depart.
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Enzo Fernandez could work under Enzo Maresca again at Manchester City. (Image: Getty)
Alonso, similarly, is prepared for all possibilities after leaving Fernandez out of his squad completely for the 4-3 win over Brighton on Sunday.
When asked if Fernandez had played his final game for the club, Alonso replied: “We’ll see. We want the best for the team and that’s why we made the decision against Luton and today and 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.”