Manchester City have not abandoned their pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, even though they allowed a club-imposed deadline to pass without making a formal bid.
Manchester city keep Enzo Fernandez chase alive with two weeks left to negotiate
With just over two weeks remaining in the transfer window, City’s hierarchy are now weighing up whether to launch a fresh attempt before the September 1 deadline.
Chelsea had set a cut-off point of 5 PM last Friday for any offers, hoping to resolve Fernandez’s future early.
City opted not to meet that window, but sources indicate that the Premier League champions remain keen on the Argentina World Cup winner.
The 24-year-old’s situation at Stamford Bridge has become increasingly tense, with sections of the Chelsea support voicing their displeasure during Saturday’s 3-1 friendly victory over Real Sociedad, booing the midfielder when he came on as a substitute.
Fernandez’s future has been a subject of speculation since last season, when he was suspended for two matches after casting doubt over his commitment while on international duty.
Real Madrid had been linked with a move but officially ruled themselves out in early July.
Now, City appear to be the most serious suitor, though Chelsea value their record signing at a staggering £120 million.
That price tag has raised eyebrows, particularly given that City are simultaneously finalizing the sale of Rodri to Barcelona for £65.4 million.
The Spanish midfielder, a four-time Premier League winner and World Cup standout, is leaving the Etihad for roughly half of what Chelsea are demanding for Fernandez.
Analysts point to factors such as Fernandez’s age, contract length, and recent form as key drivers of his higher valuation.
In parallel, City remain in talks with Lille over Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is valued at around £85 million, as they look to reinforce their engine room following Rodri’s impending departure.
However, Fernandez continues to feature prominently on their shortlist, and a decisive move in the coming days cannot be ruled out.
