Manchester City are preparing an opening offer for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez before next week’s transfer deadline, with the Argentina international valued at a minimum of £120m.
Fernandez has been identified by Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca as a priority signing as he looks to strengthen his midfield following a series of significant departures.
Chelsea are aware of Manchester City’s interest and had previously set an unofficial deadline for a potential deal to be completed earlier this summer. However, that date passed without an agreement being reached.
Despite that, Manchester City are expected to make another attempt to sign the 25-year-old before the transfer window closes.
A deal worth £120m would make Fernandez one of the most expensive players in Premier League history. He would rank behind only Alexander Isak, whose move from Newcastle to Liverpool last summer cost £125m.
Fernandez has maintained a positive relationship with Maresca, who left Chelsea in controversial fashion on New Year’s Day before moving to Etihad Stadium in June.
If the transfer goes through, it could be the second time Manchester City have broken their club record in the same window. They have already paid £116m to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
The Premier League champions have also lost four major midfielders during a turbulent period of change. Tijjani Reijnders was sold to Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah for £52m, while Barcelona signed Rodri for £65m. Newcastle agreed a £52m deal to recruit Nico Gonzalez, and Bernardo Silva left earlier in the summer before joining Real Madrid.
Fernandez’s position at Stamford Bridge has also become increasingly uncertain. He and his agent, former Paris St-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore, attracted interest from Real Madrid, although the Spanish club later issued a statement denying any attempt to sign the player.
The uncertainty has continued since Chelsea were eliminated from the Champions League by PSG in March. Fernandez subsequently became increasingly critical of the club.
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso spoke in July about a private conversation he had held with Fernandez, but declined to reveal what had been discussed. Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica for £107m in 2023.
He was introduced as a second-half substitute during Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over Fulham on Monday. Home supporters booed him because of his role in England’s World Cup exit.
After briefly celebrating the result with the visiting supporters and his team-mates at the final whistle, Fernandez was the first Chelsea player to leave the pitch and head down the tunnel.
Chelsea’s record sale remains Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid in 2019. The transfer was initially worth £89m, with add-ons capable of increasing the total to £150m.
