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Chelsea prepared to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for right price
28th August, 2026 12:04 PM
Chelsea are prepared to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for the right price—and if they can improve their squad before the window closes.
There are not believed to have been any club-to-club talks between City and Chelsea yet, but Fernandez was left out of Thursday night’s Carabao Cup win over Luton.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said after the game that Fernandez is a “good professional” who has been training well, and a decision on whether he will be available for Sunday’s clash with Brighton will be taken nearer the time.
Man City’s interest continues despite missing Chelsea’s deadline set for August 14.2026.
Chelsea had agreed with Fernandez’s representatives that he could be sold for Ksh21.1 billion by that deadline, but an offer never arrived.
Alonso also said ahead of the Luton game they are “prepared for whatever” happens with any players who could leave before the deadline.
Among the players Chelsea are considering to bring in midfield are Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Both clubs consider those players unsellable, however.
Midfield targets
City also has Scott as a midfield target as well as Roma’s Manu Kone.
Reinforcing central midfield has become an even bigger priority for City following Rodri’s departure to Barcelona earlier this month.
Nico Gonzales also left to join Newcastle United in a transfer worth up to Ksh8.3 billion (£50m), with Tijjani Reijnders recently departing for Al Qadsiah for Ksh8.5 billion, Bernardo Silva also left City following the expiry of his contract and has since joined Real Madrid.
City this week completed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, with the midfielder moving to the Etihad Stadium for Ksh14.3 billion in a world-record deal for a teenager.
England international Elliot Anderson joined City in a Ksh19.3 billion deal from Nottingham Forest last month.
Alonso confirmed in his post-match press conference that he took the decision to leave Fernandez out of the matchday squad for Thursday night’s Carabao Cup second-round win over Luton.
Alonso on Fernandez’s absence
“It was just because of the game,” Alonso said in his press conference after the win.
“We have other players who need minutes.”
Asked when he decided Fernandez would not play against Luton, Alonso replied, “In the afternoon. It is a decision that I took.
“Enzo is a good professional. He is training well and I have nothing to say about this. It was just decisions that we have to take thinking about the game that we were playing tonight. We will see for Sunday.”
