Chelsea demand £120m from Manchester City for Enzo Fernandez by Friday

Chelsea have told Manchester City and Enzo Fernandez’s representatives that a formal £120m offer must arrive by 17:00 BST on Friday if the midfielder is to leave the London club during the current transfer window.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have set the deadline while acknowledging Manchester City’s growing interest in the Argentina international. The club’s position is that Fernandez will remain at Stamford Bridge if the required bid is not submitted before the cut-off.

Chelsea’s valuation of Fernandez is equivalent to about $161m, and the club has maintained that figure since informing the player’s agent in May.

Manchester City are considering Fernandez as a potential replacement for Rodri, who is reportedly close to joining Barcelona in an anticipated transfer. The Premier League champions are also encouraged by Fernandez’s relationship with Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with the midfielder at Chelsea before recently taking charge of Manchester City.

Fernandez developed a strong connection with Maresca during the Italian coach’s time at the London club. That relationship has continued despite Maresca’s departure from Chelsea and is understood to be one factor behind Manchester City’s interest in signing the player.

Chelsea’s decision to impose a deadline comes as Fernandez’s long-term future at the club remains uncertain. The midfielder was not included on the list of players regarded as “untouchable” by Chelsea during the summer, indicating that the club was prepared to consider his departure under the right conditions.

However, Chelsea’s substantial asking price and Fernandez’s contract, which runs until 2032, give the club a powerful negotiating position. The length of that agreement means Manchester City would have to meet Chelsea’s valuation if it wants to complete a deal before the deadline.

Fernandez’s relationship with Chelsea has also faced difficulties in recent months. In April, the club suspended him for two matches after comments he made while on international duty with Argentina. Those remarks included criticism of some decisions made by Chelsea’s management and included suggestions that were interpreted as showing an openness to a move to Real Madrid.

Talks over a new contract have since stalled. Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, said earlier in the year that there had been no significant progress in negotiations, leaving the midfielder’s position at Chelsea unresolved despite the length of his existing deal.

Fernandez has also been linked with Real Madrid, and his Chelsea midfield team-mate Moises Caicedo previously urged him to stay at the club. That intervention came after speculation began to grow over a possible move to the Spanish side.

Manchester City’s interest was first reported by The Athletic, with the club exploring Fernandez as it plans for the possibility of Rodri’s departure. But Chelsea have now made clear that City must act quickly and meet the full asking price if it wants to take advantage of the midfielder’s uncertain situation.

If no formal offer worth £120m is received by 17:00 BST on Friday, Chelsea’s stated position is that Fernandez will remain with the club.