Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso declined to guarantee that Enzo Fernández will remain at Stamford Bridge beyond the current transfer window, even as he praised the Argentina midfielder's application in training ahead of the club's Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday.
Fernández's situation has become one of the summer's most closely watched sagas. Chelsea reportedly reached an understanding with the player's agent, Javier Pastore, back in May that he could leave for a fee of around £120m, and the club set an unofficial deadline of 14 August for interested parties to submit written bids. That deadline has now passed without a formal offer arriving, and Chelsea have since informed Fernández's representatives that he is not for sale this window.
Manchester City, however, have not abandoned their pursuit. The Etihad club, managed by Enzo Maresca — Fernández's former boss at Chelsea — are looking to reshape their midfield following Rodri's departure to Barcelona, and view the Argentina international as a priority target. City are also monitoring Roma's Manu Koné as an alternative option, and it remains to be seen whether they will attempt a late move before the window shuts on 1 September.
Despite the uncertainty, Alonso struck a measured tone when asked directly whether the £106.7m signing would still be part of his squad once the window closes.