Chelsea have reversed their earlier stance on Enzo Fernandez and now stand ready to sell the Argentine midfielder to Manchester City before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, despite their self-imposed August 14 cutoff passing without a bid.
Chelsea willing to finalise £120m Fernandez deal before tuesday’s cut-off
The Blues had previously agreed with Fernandez’s representatives that he could depart for £120m, but City failed to submit an offer by that Friday deadline.
However, reports now confirm that Chelsea remain open to doing business at the same price in the final stages of the window.
City’s interest has not wavered. Manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Fernandez at Chelsea, desperately wants to reunite with the 25-year-old at the Etihad.
The reigning champions have already spent around £200m this summer on Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, but the departures of Rodri to Barcelona and Nico Gonzalez to Newcastle have left them short in central midfield.
Fernandez’s absence from Chelsea’s squad for Thursday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town has fuelled further speculation.
Manager Xabi Alonso explained: “We assessed situations, individual and collective, and we have decided he is not in the squad for today”.
When pressed on whether he wants clarity, Alonso added:
“Let’s see. We need to be prepared for everything”.
Sky Sports have confirmed that Chelsea are prepared to sell for the right price, though no club-to-club talks have yet taken place.
Crucially, Chelsea want to secure a replacement before sanctioning Fernandez’s departure.
Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has emerged as their primary target, with Crystal Palace recently seeing a €50m (£43m) bid rejected for the 22-year-old.
Sources indicate Camara now prioritises a move to Stamford Bridge, with developments progressing behind the scenes.
Alonso may also leave Fernandez out of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Brighton as the transfer saga reaches its climax.
