Chelsea reject claims of £120m Manchester City bid for Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea have denied receiving a formal offer from Manchester City for Enzo Fernandez, while insisting they will not lower their £120m asking price for the Argentina midfielder during the current summer transfer window.

Reports in Argentina claimed Manchester City had submitted a £120m bid for Fernandez. However, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have not received an official proposal from any club for the 24-year-old.

Chelsea have made clear that they will only consider allowing Fernandez to leave if their £120m valuation is met. The club’s position directly contradicts reports that Manchester City had already made a formal offer.

The Argentine reports suggested Fernandez was wanted immediately by his former manager and current Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca. Fernandez joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Portuguese club Benfica, during Maresca’s time at the club.

According to The Athletic, Manchester City have 24 hours remaining within the deadline set by Chelsea to submit a bid for Fernandez. If that period expires, Chelsea will no longer listen to offers for the player.

Fernandez’s contract at Stamford Bridge runs until the summer of 2032. Since arriving from Benfica, he has made 169 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 31 goals and providing 30 assists.

During his time with the club, Fernandez has won the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Conference League once each.

He also represented Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, helping the national team finish as runners-up. Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the final, in which Fernandez was sent off after a strong challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

Chelsea have played five fixtures in preparation for the new season and have one more friendly remaining. They began their preparations with a 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers, before losing 2-1 to Tottenham in their second match.

A further defeat followed against Juventus, who won 1-0, but Chelsea responded with a 3-0 victory over Milan in their fourth pre-season game. Their fifth match ended in a 3-3 draw with Johor.

The London club will complete their pre-season schedule against Real Sociedad next Saturday, before the start of the new campaign.

Chelsea finished last season in 10th place with 52 points. Their first fixture of the new season will be against Fulham on Monday, 24 August, at Craven Cottage.

The club’s stance means Manchester City must decide quickly whether to meet Chelsea’s valuation if they want to pursue Fernandez. At present, Chelsea’s position remains that no official bid has arrived and that the player will not be allowed to leave for less than £120m.