Chelsea have informed Manchester City that they must reach an agreement to sign Enzo Fernandez for £120 million by 5pm on Friday, according to reports. The Premier League clubs are in negotiations over the Argentine midfielder, with City having identified Fernandez as their next marquee midfield signing.
City's midfield plans
Manchester City completed a £116m deal for Elliot Anderson earlier this summer and have since targeted Fernandez as a key addition. However, Chelsea are not prepared to wait indefinitely, setting a strict deadline for the transfer to be completed.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea have told City that their £120m asking price for Fernandez will only hold until 5pm on Friday afternoon. If City fail to agree a deal before that time, Chelsea will keep Fernandez at Stamford Bridge.
Rodri uncertainty at City
The deadline comes amid uncertainty over Rodri's future at City. Barcelona submitted an improved £51.3m (€60m) bid for the Spain captain this week, potentially complicating City's midfield plans. If Rodri departs, Fernandez could be seen as a replacement, but Chelsea's deadline adds urgency to City's decision-making.
Fernandez's ties to Maresca
Fernandez had a strong relationship with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who left the club in March. Speaking to Mexican broadcaster TUDN at the time, Fernandez criticised the club over Maresca's exit: 'I don't understand it either. Sometimes there are things that we as players don't understand, how and in what way they try to manage things.'
'Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot because we had an identity. He gave us an order, even though, as is the way of football, sometimes it's good and bad. But he always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing, and obviously his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, it cuts everything short.'
Current Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has made it clear he wants Fernandez to stay. Speaking last month, Alonso said: 'Yes we have spoken. But as you can imagine what we have spoken remains private.'
