Chelsea set Friday deadline for Enzo Fernandez bid

Chelsea have told Manchester City they have until 5pm on Friday to make an offer for Enzo Fernandez, with the west London club valuing the Argentina international at £120m and expecting any deal to respect his six-year contract. According to Sky Sports, if City do not meet Chelsea's demands, the club does not intend to sell Fernandez in this window.

The deadline comes amid a strained relationship between the two clubs following the acrimonious manner of Enzo Maresca's departure from Chelsea, where he resigned with three and a half years left on his contract. City paid Chelsea £17m in compensation to appoint Maresca, Sky Sports reported.

Chelsea's insistence on a firm deadline is intended to avoid the distractions that arose when Maresca stood down, according to the same report. The club signed Fernandez for around £107m from Benfica in the 2023 winter window, and his current valuation reflects his importance to the squad.

Fernandez was dropped by Chelsea for two games in April after admitting he would welcome living in Madrid, a comment for which he and his agent later apologised. Real Madrid released a statement denying they would attempt to sign him.

City's interest and valuation gap

Manchester City are expected to make an official bid for Fernandez, though they are thought to value him at less than Chelsea's asking price, as reported by The Guardian. The Manchester Evening News also noted that City have distanced themselves from a move this summer but retain an interest, adding that Fernandez wants the move and Chelsea are open to selling at the right price.

Barcelona's pursuit of Rodri, which saw a £40m bid rejected, has raised the prospect of City making a late move for Fernandez before the window closes, according to Sky Sports. Barcelona are now ready to raise their offer to the £50m-£60m bracket, though that claim is contested elsewhere.

City's interest in Fernandez is part of a wider midfield rebuild. They have already signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m and are closing in on an £85m deal for Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is 18 and relatively inexperienced, as reported by The Guardian and The Independent. City are also in talks with Lille over Bouaddi, with the deal expected to be completed in the coming days, according to the Manchester Evening News.

A summer of departures and arrivals

City's squad has undergone significant changes since Pep Guardiola departed at the end of last season. Guardiola won 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles, during his decade at the club, but City have not won the title since 2024 and finished seven points behind Arsenal last season. Arsenal thrashed City 3-0 in the Community Shield to underline the scale of the challenge facing Maresca.

Rodri was sold to Barcelona for around £65m, Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah for around £51m, and John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Nathan Ake have also left, as reported by The Guardian and The Independent. The Guardian also reported that City have identified Roma's Manu Koné as a potential target, with the France international expected to cost around £50m. Koné played five of France's eight World Cup matches, and France won all four games he started.

Negotiations are ongoing with Tottenham over a double deal involving Savinho and Omar Marmoush, worth around £150m, according to The Guardian. Savinho is set to join Spurs in a deal that could reach £85m, with his arrival taking Tottenham's summer spending above £300m, The Independent reported. Marmoush is also wanted by Tottenham in a separate deal, and both players are expected to add depth to Roberto De Zerbi's squad.

Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez were named in City's squad to face Bournemouth on Sunday, but Savinho was absent, with Rico Lewis starting in midfield alongside Anderson and Nico O'Reilly, according to The Independent. Gonzalez, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to Newcastle United.

Maresca's first test and rebuild pressure

Maresca takes charge of his first Premier League game as City boss when Bournemouth visit the Etihad on Sunday. He told reporters on Friday that the club is undergoing "big changes" and may need patience before more trophies arrive, but insisted that is not an excuse.

"When you make many changes, not only the manager, Rodri was here, John [Stones] was here, Bernardo [Silva] was here. It's a big change, but it doesn't mean that we won't be ready to compete," Maresca said. "It's a context; it's not an excuse."

Maresca acknowledged he will be under immediate pressure if City do not make a strong start, and said any further outgoings will need to be replaced. "They all want to play, and when they don't play they would prefer to leave," he said. "If some leave, some must arrive."

City have only had two managers in the last 13 years, and the Manchester Evening News reported that Maresca has the backing of senior figures at the club, having been sounded out by former sporting director Txiki Begiristain years ago. He is likely to be given at least two years, though that expectation is not universally shared.

The Manchester Evening News also reported that City want one incoming player for every outgoing this summer, and that the club's sales are less about compliance with financial rules and more about giving Maresca the players he wants. That report added that Jack Grealish is in a good place after injury but still likely to leave if a bid arrives, with Everton CEO Angus Kinnear monitoring the situation.

Perspectives

Chelsea's stance: Chelsea have set a hard deadline to force City to commit, valuing Fernandez at £120m and insisting he will not be sold for less, given his long contract and importance to the squad.

Manchester City's position: City are interested but value Fernandez below Chelsea's asking price, and are balancing multiple midfield targets while replacing a wave of departures under a new manager.

Enzo Maresca: The new City boss wants a competitive squad and insists the club will replace any outgoing players, but acknowledges the scale of change and the need for patience as he rebuilds.

Tottenham's interest: Spurs are close to signing Savinho and also want Marmoush, with manager Roberto De Zerbi admitting his side is not yet prepared for the season.