Manchester City are continuing negotiations to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, with the Argentina international notably absent from Chelsea's squad for their Carabao Cup clash against Luton Town. Chelsea are said to be holding firm on their valuation of £120million for the 25-year-old midfielder, a fee that would make him City's most expensive signing ever, surpassing the £116million spent on Elliot Anderson earlier this summer.
Fernandez's exclusion from the matchday squad came as a surprise, given that new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso had suggested just a day earlier that he expected the midfielder to feature. Speaking to Sky Sports before kickoff against Luton, Alonso explained the decision, saying: "We assessed situations, individual and collective and we have decided he is not in the squad for today."
The Spanish coach, however, stopped short of confirming Fernandez's Chelsea future was over, indicating that developments were still unfolding. When pressed on whether he wanted to retain the player ahead of the Luton fixture, Alonso responded: "We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities. He has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let's see how things develop."
Despite City missing an informal deadline earlier in the month to complete a deal, they are expected to submit a fresh offer for Fernandez, who has been strongly linked with a move to the Etihad since his exploits at the World Cup. Should the transfer go through, City's summer spending on midfielders alone could approach £300million, part of a wholesale rebuild of their squad. That overhaul has already seen the departures of Rodri, who joined Barcelona, alongside Bernardo Silva and other long-serving figures, as the club moves into a new era.
City have generated significant funds through outgoing transfers, recouping roughly £165million from the sales of Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah, and Nico Gonzalez to Newcastle United. They have also strengthened their midfield options by securing 18-year-old prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi for £86million, in addition to the Anderson signing.
On the Chelsea side, contingency plans appear to be in motion should Fernandez depart. The club is reportedly prepared to revisit interest in Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott if the Argentine's sale goes through. Bournemouth have so far rebuffed advances for Scott, though there is a belief that an offer surpassing £80million — potentially closer to £90million — could prompt a change of stance.
Fernandez's relationship with Chelsea supporters has been complicated since his return from international duty. He was jeered by home fans during Chelsea's Premier League opener at Fulham, a reaction tied to his part in Argentina's World Cup semi-final victory over England. That match saw him come on as a substitute. Notably, the reception he received from Chelsea's own fanbase was warmer than the hostility he faced during a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge, where he was also booed.
Alonso did name a strong lineup for the visit of Luton, which marked Chelsea's first competitive home fixture of the new campaign, including key players Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. Fernandez's absence, though, only intensified speculation that his time at Stamford Bridge could be drawing to a close as Manchester City look to finalize what would be a landmark deal.
Based on reporting from The Independent.