Chelsea's £120m Fernandez deadline for Man City and what it means for Alonso
· Bobby Vincent · 2026-08-13T06:01:26+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Man City's £120m clock is ticking with Chelsea's remarkable transfer deadline for Enzo Fernandez
While Manchester City are weighing up whether to make a big-money move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, the Blues remain relaxed about the situation
Xabi Alonso wants a settled squad by the time Chelsea kick off their Premier League campaign against Fulham on August 24. That is why the west Londoners have set Manchester City - and any other interested parties - a Friday 5pm (UK time) deadline to pay Enzo Fernandez's £120million price tag.
The Blues make the short trip to Craven Cottage in just over 10 days' time in what will be Alonso's first official game since becoming manager. Even though there is such little time between now and that Monday night in Fulham, speculation continues over the future of a few Chelsea players.
Chelsea have made a statement by setting a Fernandez deadline. They will not allow other sides, particularly their Premier League rivals, to play them around in the transfer market and leave any move until the final minute. If the £120m is not paid, Fernandez will be playing his football at Stamford Bridge in the upcoming season.
At the time of writing, Chelsea sources say there has been no direct club-to-club contact from any side regarding Fernandez. Enzo Maresca is eyeing a reunion with the Blues midfielder at the Etihad Stadium but City are reluctant, sources say, to meet the Blues' £120m valuation.
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Stamford Bridge insiders have said since way back in May that the club are not actively looking to ship off the 25-year-old but if their £120m price tag is triggered, then he will be free to leave. Real Madrid were the clear front-runners at one point this summer but never made any direct club-to-club contact with Chelsea for the Argentina international.
Fernandez's agent, former Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore, has been vocal about his client's future all summer-long. That seemed to trigger some at Los Blancos when in July, the Spanish giants released a public statement where the club claimed they would not be making a move for Fernandez in this summer's transfer window.
Since then, things have slightly cooled down. Chelsea sources have said all the way through the summer that they are relaxed about the situation. They also say there is an expectation that Fernandez will be playing his football under Alonso next season.
There has, however, always been the looming threat of Man City, even though last season's Premier League runners-up smashed their transfer record to bring in central midfielder Elliot Anderson for £116m. Rather inevitably, Maresca, who left Chelsea in dramatic circumstances on New Year's Day, wants to reunite with Fernandez in Manchester.
Sources close to the situation insist there have been no offers for Fernandez - from any club - in the last two months. This week, Fernandez returned to training at Chelsea's Cobham base following his extended break due to reaching the World Cup final.
Alonso wants to keep Fernandez at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea want a resolution as soon as possible with Alonso keen to avoid any unnecessary distractions in the build-up to the Fulham trip.
If Fernandez does end up staying, as many expect, Chelsea and Alonso will be more than happy in reintegrating the Argentine into the squad.
Elsewhere, a number of other Chelsea players face a potentially turbulent few weeks in regards to their futures.
Pedro Neto has four Premier League clubs interested in his services, sources close to the situation say. Chelsea are not actively looking to sell the 26-year-old winger but he is available for the right price - although his price tag has not been disclosed just yet.
Tosin Adarabioyo also has clubs from England's top flight interested in his signature. Benfica are also understood to be keen on the experienced Chelsea defender, who can leave Stamford Bridge this summer.