Omotayo Fashola
(Enzo Fernandez. Photo Credit: Goal.com)
Chelsea has imposed a strict Friday deadline of 5 PM BST for interested clubs to submit bids exceeding £120 million for star midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentine playmaker sparked transfer speculation in March after expressing interest in a potential switch to Real Madrid.
His agent later claimed Fernandez felt undervalued and sought an exit following Chelsea’s turbulent campaign, which saw them finish mid-table and suffer FA Cup heartbreak against Manchester City.
With Real Madrid publicly withdrawing from the race, Manchester City remains the sole confirmed contender for Fernandez’s signature.
However, City have remained non-committal about meeting Chelsea’s valuation while simultaneously pursuing Lille’s rising talent Ayoub Bouaddi.
Despite acquiring Fernandez for £107 million from Benfica just last year, Chelsea maintains their £120 million price tag reflects his current market value.
The deadline aims to bring clarity before preseason preparations intensify, with the club emphasizing they’ve provided ample time for negotiations at what they deem a reasonable figure.
New head coach Xabi Alonso has held private discussions with Fernandez about his situation but kept details confidential.
Chelsea has assured Fernandez of his pivotal role should no acceptable offers materialize, ready to welcome him back into their plans without reservation.
The 23-year-old contributed 15 goals and seven assists across 54 appearances last term before his controversial red card in Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain.
Fernandez has resumed training under Alonso this week, with his Chelsea fate to be determined by Friday’s decisive cutoff.
