Chelsea have set Manchester City a Friday deadline to make an offer for Enzo Fernandez if they want to sign the midfielder before the transfer window closes.
City have until 5pm on Friday to meet Chelsea’s £120 million valuation. The London club has made it clear that Fernandez will remain at Stamford Bridge if the demand is not met.
The News Chronicle reports that City’s interest in the midfielder would grow if Barca succeed in their pursuit of Rodri, as the Spanish side is set to improve their bid for the 30-year-old during the ongoing transfer window.
Manchester City have been looking into other options, and have been in talks with Lille about Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, while also signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million this summer.
Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica for around £107 million in January 2023, and has six more years left on his current deal.
Chelsea’s decision to set a deadline is also partly due to the club’s fear of last-minute uncertainty after the exit of Enzo Maresca.
City paid £17 million in compensation to appoint Maresca this summer, adding another layer to relations between the two clubs.
With the transfer window closing on September 1, Fernandez’s future could depend heavily on Barcelona’s next move for Rodri.
