Chelsea set Friday deadline for clubs interested in Enzo Fernández

• Chelsea have set a Friday deadline for any club prepared to meet their £120 million valuation of Enzo Fernández.
• Real Madrid and Manchester City have been linked with the Argentina midfielder, although no formal offer has been submitted.
• Chelsea are prepared to retain Fernández for the new season if their valuation is not met before the deadline.

Chelsea have set a Friday deadline for any club interested in signing Enzo Fernández, with the Premier League club demanding £120 million for the Argentina midfielder, sources have told ESPN.

Chelsea will not consider offers submitted after 5 p.m. UK time on Friday, Aug. 14, sources said, as the club look to resolve uncertainty over Fernández before the start of the new season.

The Blues believe interested clubs have had sufficient time to make formal approaches and have told parties involved that the deadline is final.

Real Madrid have previously been linked with Fernández but publicly distanced themselves from a move last month.

The 25-year-old had spoken positively about Madrid and his fondness for the Spanish capital in an interview that resulted in him being fined by Chelsea and suspended for two matches.

New Madrid head coach José Mourinho is understood to be an admirer of Fernández, leaving open the possibility of the Spanish club reconsidering their position before Friday’s deadline.

Manchester City are another club monitoring Fernández and could represent a more realistic destination.

City’s interest is linked to the future of Rodri, with Barcelona having made two offers for the midfielder that have been rejected. City value Rodri at €80 million, and negotiations between the clubs remain unresolved.

Fernández’s agent Javier Pastore said on July 2 that he was “looking at possibilities to leave Chelsea,” although no club has since made a formal offer or indicated a willingness to match Chelsea’s valuation.

Chelsea remain prepared to keep Fernández if no agreement is reached.

Head coach Xabi Alonso is ready to work with the midfielder this season, while Fernández remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

Chelsea’s £120 million asking price would represent a significant increase on the £107 million the club paid Benfica for Fernández in February 2023.

Fernández has established himself as an important player since arriving in England, making 117 Premier League appearances and contributing 19 goals and 17 assists.

Chelsea’s deadline leaves potential suitors with limited time to decide whether to meet the club’s valuation or wait until a later transfer window.

For now, the decision remains with interested clubs, while Chelsea have made clear that Fernández’s future will not remain unresolved beyond Friday without a formal offer meeting their demands.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.

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