What’s next for Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez ?

Chelsea are continuing to plan with Enzo Fernandez in their squad for the new season despite Manchester City’s long-running interest, although the transfer saga may not be over before the window closes.

The Argentina midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad throughout the summer, with City exploring midfield reinforcements after agreeing to sell Rodri to Barcelona. Chelsea, however, remain reluctant to sanction the departure of one of their key players.

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea set a deadline last week for interested clubs to submit formal offers for Fernandez, giving themselves clarity before the Premier League campaign began. No written bid arrived before that deadline, despite City being regarded as the most likely destination if the midfielder were to leave.

The west London club have valued the 25-year-old at around £120 million throughout the transfer window and have consistently refused to entertain offers below that figure. While the deadline has now passed, the report suggests Chelsea could still face a difficult decision if Manchester City return with an offer close to their asking price before the window shuts.

Club sources nevertheless believe Fernandez will remain at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are understood to be preparing for the season with the World Cup winner as a central figure under new head coach Xabi Alonso, with no intention of considering a January sale.

Any late move would also present practical challenges. Chelsea would need to source a replacement before the transfer deadline, meaning any club attempting to sign Fernandez after the original cut-off could face even tougher negotiating terms than those previously outlined.

The midfielder’s future has attracted further attention after sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd booed him during a recent pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad. Despite that reaction, Chelsea’s position has remained unchanged publicly, with the club continuing to view Fernandez as a key part of Alonso’s long-term plans.

Manchester City are also closing in on Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, but that pursuit has not entirely ended speculation surrounding Fernandez. Whether Pep Guardiola’s former club return with a formal offer before the deadline could determine if one of the summer’s biggest transfer stories has another twist.