Manchester City are preparing an opening bid for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with the Argentina international emerging as a priority target for manager Enzo Maresca.
City are expected to make their move before next week’s transfer deadline despite Chelsea previously setting an unofficial minimum asking price of £120 million for the 25-year-old.
Chelsea are aware of City’s interest, while Fernandez remains available for selection for Thursday’s Carabao Cup clash with Luton Town amid an injury to Moises Caicedo.
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso confirmed Fernandez had trained well and was expected to be involved, saying the midfielder remained an important part of the squad.
If completed for £120 million, Fernandez would become one of the most expensive players in Premier League history, behind only Liverpool’s £125 million signing of Alexander Isak last summer.
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Fernandez maintains a positive relationship with Maresca, who left Chelsea in controversial circumstances on New Year’s Day before moving to the Etihad Stadium in June.
The potential transfer would come after City already broke their record this window with the £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
City have also seen significant changes in midfield, with Tijjani Reijnders joining Al-Qadsiah for £52 million, Rodri moving to Barcelona for £65 million, Nico Gonzalez heading to Newcastle in a £52 million deal and Bernardo Silva leaving before joining Real Madrid.
Fernandez’s future at Stamford Bridge has been uncertain for months, with the midfielder and his agent, former Paris Saint-Germain star Javier Pastore, having attracted interest from Real Madrid before the Spanish giants denied making an attempt to sign him.
The uncertainty dates back to Chelsea’s Champions League elimination by Paris Saint-Germain in March, after which Fernandez became increasingly critical of the club.
Alonso spoke in July about a private conversation with Fernandez but declined to reveal details. The midfielder joined Chelsea from Benfica for £107 million in 2023.
Fernandez came on as a second-half substitute in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday and was booed by home supporters over his role in England’s World Cup elimination.
After briefly celebrating with Chelsea’s travelling supporters and teammates at the final whistle, Fernandez was the first Chelsea player to head down the tunnel.
