Man City Unlikely to Sign Enzo Fernández as Chelsea Set £120m Deadline
Manchester City are unlikely to complete a move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández before the transfer deadline set by the London club, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has indicated.
Chelsea have reportedly set a 5 p.m. UK deadline on Friday for any interested club to meet their £120 million valuation of the Argentina international.
Manchester City are among the clubs understood to have shown interest in Fernández, but Maresca’s latest comments suggest the Premier League champions are unlikely to make a move before the deadline.
Asked about the midfielder during a press conference on Friday, Maresca declined to discuss Fernández directly.
“I don’t think it’s correct to speak about players from another club. At the same time, I don’t think it’s correct when other clubs speak about our players,” Maresca said.
When asked whether Chelsea expected to conduct transfer business on Friday, the manager replied that he did not believe the club would complete any deal that day.
Chelsea demand £120m for Enzo Fernández
Chelsea are understood to value Fernández at £120m ($161.8m) and have reportedly made it clear that they will not consider offers arriving after their Friday deadline.
The Argentine midfielder remains an important player for Chelsea, but interest from Manchester City has placed his future under renewed scrutiny as the transfer window approaches its closing stages.
Fernández joined Chelsea from Benfica and has established himself as a key midfielder at Stamford Bridge.
However, any potential move to Manchester City would require the club to make a substantial financial commitment to meet Chelsea’s valuation.
Maresca refuses to discuss Manchester City interest
Maresca, who previously coached Fernández at Chelsea, was careful not to comment directly on Manchester City’s reported interest.
The Chelsea boss instead focused on his own squad and declined to provide details about possible negotiations involving players contracted to other clubs.
His comments came as Manchester City prepare for the Community Shield against Arsenal in Cardiff.
The lack of expected transfer activity on Friday makes a move for Fernández increasingly unlikely unless there is a late change in City’s plans.
Rodri returns to Manchester City
While Fernández’s future remains uncertain, Maresca also addressed the return of Manchester City midfielder Rodri to preseason training.
Rodri reported back to City on Friday after recovering from back surgery following Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The midfielder was the final City player to return to preseason preparations.
Maresca said he greeted Rodri with a hug but stopped short of guaranteeing that the Spanish international would remain at the club.
“The transfer window is open. We can buy players, we can sell players, anything can happen,” Maresca said.
The comments are likely to fuel further speculation surrounding Rodri’s future, particularly after Barcelona reportedly showed interest in the midfielder.
Barcelona expected to make another Rodri bid
Manchester City have already rejected offers from Barcelona for Rodri, according to reports, but the Spanish champions are expected to return with an improved proposal.
Rodri is entering the final year of his contract, making his situation one of the major transfer stories surrounding City.
His importance to Pep Guardiola’s midfield means any potential departure would represent a major change for the club.
The Spain international played a crucial role in his country’s World Cup success before undergoing surgery during the offseason.
Manchester City reshaping midfield
City have already invested heavily in their midfield this summer, spending about £116 million on England international Elliot Anderson following Bernardo Silva’s departure.
However, another midfielder, Tijjani Reijnders, is reportedly close to leaving the club for Al Qadsiah in a deal worth around £51 million.
Reijnders only joined City from AC Milan for approximately £46.5 million last summer but struggled to maintain a regular starting position during the second half of the season.
He started roughly half of City’s Premier League matches and subsequently became one of the players whose future has come under consideration during the club’s midfield restructuring.
Reijnders wants more playing time
Maresca suggested that Reijnders’ desire for more regular football was an important factor behind the potential move.
The Chelsea manager said it can be difficult to change a player’s mind once they have decided that a transfer is the best option.
He compared Reijnders’ situation with that of goalkeeper James Trafford, suggesting that when the club, player and manager agree that a departure is the right decision, allowing the transfer to happen can be the best solution.
Haaland injury concern eased
Maresca also provided an update on Manchester City’s Erling Haaland ahead of the Community Shield.
The Norwegian striker did not take part in the final part of an open training session on Thursday, prompting questions about his fitness.
However, Maresca played down the concern, saying Haaland had experienced a minor issue around his heel but was otherwise fine.
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The striker is therefore expected to remain part of City’s preparations for their upcoming clash with Arsenal.
What happens next with Enzo Fernández?
For now, Manchester City’s pursuit of Enzo Fernández appears unlikely to progress unless the club makes a late decision to meet Chelsea’s £120 million valuation.
Chelsea’s deadline leaves City with limited time to make a formal offer, while Maresca’s comments suggest no major transfer activity is currently expected.
The situation could nevertheless change quickly before the transfer window closes, particularly given the scale of interest surrounding the Argentine midfielder.
For Manchester City, the decision also comes against the backdrop of a significant midfield overhaul involving Rodri, Reijnders, Bernardo Silva and Anderson.
Whether City eventually make a move for Fernández could therefore depend on how the club balances its immediate midfield needs with its broader transfer strategy.
