Chelsea has issued a firm deadline and a colossal £120 million price tag for Enzo Fernandez, potentially shutting down a high-profile transfer to Manchester City late in the window.
The World Cup-winning Argentine has become a prime target for Premier League rivals Manchester City, but Chelsea is keen to avoid a protracted negotiation process that could unsettle their squad. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that the London club has given City an ultimatum regarding the midfielder.
Romano shared via X (formerly Twitter) that Chelsea executives have officially communicated their stance: "Manchester City in talks with his camp for days but #CFC made it clear: £120M fee with payment terms also communicated. £120M by Friday at 5pm or Chelsea will not sell Enzo to Manchester City."
The Blues are demanding the full £120 million, including specific payment terms, and have set a hard cutoff for Friday at 5 PM UK time. This leaves Manchester City with a very tight window to agree to the terms and secure one of the summer's biggest transfers.
Manchester City's interest reportedly stems from manager Enzo Maresca's desire to strengthen his midfield. With Rodri attracting attention from Barcelona, City have identified Fernandez as a key candidate to anchor their midfield, especially given Maresca’s previous experience with the player at Stamford Bridge.
However, with Chelsea holding an unwavering position on both the massive transfer fee and the stringent deadline, Manchester City faces a crucial decision: meet the demand or abandon the pursuit.
