Manchester City will not meet Chelsea’s Friday deadline for Enzo Fernandez, leaving the Argentina midfielder’s future unresolved with the transfer window entering its final days.
Chelsea set a 5pm cut-off for any serious bids for the 25-year-old, valuing him at around £120 million. New City manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Fernandez at Stamford Bridge, confirmed his side would not be making a move before the deadline.
“Not today to be honest, I don’t think we’re going to do something today,” Maresca said. “For sure there are things we need to do, my focus is on the game.”
🚨 Chelsea consider Enzo Fernández no longer available at £120m as terms were made clear to his camp since May — effectively agreed as a ‘release clause’.#CFC happy to keep Enzo and continue with him.
❗️ Manchester City mantained daily active talks with Enzo’s camp, in last 48… pic.twitter.com/tNSHCrMcYo
The game in question is Sunday’s Community Shield against Arsenal, Maresca’s first major match in charge of City, and it is clear where his immediate priorities lie.
While Fernandez remains of interest, City have not been standing still elsewhere in the window. They are closing in on 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi and are expected to raise funds through the sale of Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi side Al-Qadsiah for £51 million.
Complicating matters further is Barcelona’s pursuit of Rodri. City have already rejected two bids for the World Cup-winning midfielder, who returned to training on Friday, with a third offer from the Catalan club anticipated.
With Chelsea holding firm on their valuation and City unwilling to meet the deadline, Fernandez’s next move remains unclear, and time is running out for all parties.
