Manchester City did not submit a bid for Enzo Fernandez before Chelsea’s 5pm deadline on Friday, August 15, according to Sky Sports News reporter Alan Irwin. Chelsea had set that cutoff as the point beyond which they would consider the matter closed for the summer, and City let it pass without making a move.
Chelsea are now understood to expect Fernandez, 25, to remain at the club for the 2026/27 season. The verbal terms that had been communicated to Fernandez’s representatives at the end of May are reportedly off the table, and Chelsea’s valuation of £120m was never met by a formal approach.
How the deal collapsed
Chelsea had left Fernandez off their ‘not for sale’ list this summer, a signal that an acceptable offer would at least be considered. Footmercato reported on August 14, citing Sky Italia and a combination of Argentine and English press, that City were preparing to submit a bid in the region of 120 million euros. Chelsea’s actual asking price, however, was reportedly closer to 140 million euros, and no formal offer ever arrived.
Relations between the two clubs are described as strained following the acrimonious manner of Enzo Maresca’s departure from Chelsea. City paid Chelsea £17m in compensation to appoint Maresca after he resigned with three and a half years remaining on his contract at the end of 2025. That backdrop is understood to have complicated negotiations before they could properly begin.
Why City were in the market and what they do next
City’s reported interest in Fernandez is tied directly to the uncertainty surrounding Rodri. Barcelona have had two bids rejected by City for the Spanish midfielder, with a third expected, and Rodri has only one year remaining on his contract. City have already spent £116m signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and are in ongoing talks with Lille over 18-year-old Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Maresca addressed the Fernandez situation briefly ahead of what he called his ‘first final’ at City. ‘It’s 48 hours for the final, my first final in this club, I would like to win my first trophy, so my focus isn’t on players that can leave or players that can arrive, my focus is on the game,’ he said. In a separate exchange reported by footmercato, Maresca added in French that it was not correct to speak about players at other clubs and that he would say nothing about players not in his squad.
What it means for Fernandez and Chelsea
Fernandez arrived at Chelsea in January 2023 from Benfica for a British record fee of £107m and is contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2032. His time at the club has been turbulent at points. He was dropped for two games in April after comments made on international duty in which he criticised club decisions and appeared to signal interest in a move to Real Madrid. His agent, Javier Pastore, had spoken publicly about a lack of progress in contract discussions earlier in the year.
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has spoken to Fernandez and is said to be happy to include him in his plans. Teammate Moises Caicedo also publicly urged Fernandez to stay at the club earlier in August. With the deadline passed and no deal materializing, Chelsea appear to be moving on from the speculation, even if Fernandez’s long-term future at the club remains an open question given the absence of any new contract agreement.
FAQ
How much did Chelsea pay for Enzo Fernandez?
Chelsea signed Fernandez from Benfica in January 2023 for £107m (121m euros), a British record fee at the time. His contract runs until 2032.
Is Enzo Fernandez joining Manchester City?
As of August 15, 2026, the move appears to have stalled. Manchester City did not submit a bid before Chelsea’s 5pm deadline, and Chelsea now expect Fernandez to stay for the 2026/27 season.
What was Chelsea’s asking price for Enzo Fernandez?
Chelsea valued Fernandez at £120m for a potential sale to Manchester City. Reports suggested City were preparing an offer closer to 120 million euros, a gap that was never bridged.