Chelsea Sets Deadline for Enzo Fernandez Transfer Offers
Chelsea has established a Friday deadline for clubs to make offers of £120 million or more for midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The 25-year-old Argentina international has been in a state of uncertainty regarding his future at Stamford Bridge since March, when he first hinted at a move to Real Madrid.
At that time, his agent Javier Pastore publicly claimed that Fernandez felt undercompensated and desired a transfer following a challenging season. Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League and concluded the campaign without any trophies after losing the FA Cup final to Manchester City.
Real Madrid has reportedly stated they have “no intention” of signing Fernandez, which narrows down the potential suitors to Manchester City. City’s new manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked at Chelsea, might consider a bid, though it is not yet clear if they will meet Chelsea’s valuation amidst their interest in Lille’s Moroccan midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi.
Chelsea’s deadline is set for 17:00 BST on Friday, and the club plans to maintain its £120 million asking price, despite having signed Fernandez for £107 million from Benfica in 2023. This deadline aims to resolve the ongoing uncertainty before the season begins, having provided Fernandez and interested clubs around 60 days to finalize any potential deal at what Chelsea views as a fair price.
New manager Xabi Alonso has engaged in conversations with Fernandez about his future but has not revealed specific details of those discussions. Chelsea has indicated a willingness to fully reintegrate Fernandez into their squad, allowing him to continue as a key player. Last season, he scored 15 goals and contributed seven assists in 54 appearances for the club. He also played a role in Argentina’s World Cup campaign, where he was sent off in the final against Spain, leading to a 1-0 loss. Fernandez has returned to training with Chelsea this week under Alonso’s guidance.
Chelsea have set a Friday deadline for offers of £120m or more from clubs interested in midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentina international, 25, has faced uncertainty over his future at Stamford Bridge since March, when he first raised the possibility of a move to Real Madrid.
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Around that time, his agent Javier Pastore publicly stated his client was underpaid and wanted to leave following a difficult season in which Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League and ended the campaign without a trophy after losing the FA Cup final to Manchester City.
Real Madrid have since said they have “no intention” of signing Fernandez, leaving the only known potential suitors as Manchester City, whose new boss Enzo Maresca left Chelsea midway through last season.
It remains unclear whether City would be willing to meet the player’s valuation, with the Etihad outfit also known to be targeting Lille’s Moroccan midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi.
Chelsea have set a deadline of 17:00 BST on Friday for any offers and are expected to stand firm on their £120m price tag, even though they signed him for £107m from Benfica in 2023.
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The deadline is intended to bring an end to uncertainty before the start of the season, having given Fernandez and any interested clubs around 60 days to complete a deal at what Chelsea consider a fair price.
New manager Xabi Alonso has spoken to Fernandez about his future, but has declined to disclose details of their conversation.
It is understood Chelsea have made it clear they are willing to fully reintegrate Fernandez into the squad and allow him to continue as a key player.
He scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in 54 appearances for the club last season. He then helped Argentina reach the World Cup final, where he was sent off as they lost to Spain 1-0.
Fernandez returned to training with Chelsea this week for the first time under Alonso.
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