Man City Agree to Chelsea Deadline and ‘Submit Offer’ for Fernandez

Manchester City have been handed a clear deadline by Chelsea as their interest in Enzo Fernández reaches a decisive stage. Chelsea have told City that they must submit an acceptable offer by 5pm on Friday, August 14, if they want to sign the Argentina international this summer.

Chelsea are understood to value Fernández at around £120 million and have made their position clear: they will consider selling if that valuation is met, but if no suitable offer arrives before the deadline, the midfielder is expected to remain at Stamford Bridge for the 2026/27 season.

The situation has become particularly interesting because Manchester City are preparing for the possibility of losing Rodri. Barcelona have made an improved offer for the Spanish midfielder, although City have rejected the latest proposal. With Rodri’s future increasingly uncertain, Fernández has emerged as one of City’s preferred options to strengthen their midfield.

City’s interest in Fernández is also connected to their manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with the Argentine at Chelsea. Reports suggest Fernández has been a major target for City throughout the summer, although the club must now decide whether it is prepared to meet Chelsea’s enormous asking price.

There have been reports claiming that City have already submitted a £120 million offer. However, that has not been firmly confirmed by the strongest available reporting. Sky Sports reported on Thursday that Chelsea had still not received a bid and that City had until Friday evening to make their move.

City could potentially raise funds for the deal through player sales. Tijjani Reijnders is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, while Rodri’s potential departure to Barcelona could also provide City with significant funds for a midfield rebuild.

For Chelsea, the decision is equally significant. The club’s new manager Xabi Alonso would reportedly prefer to keep Fernández, but Chelsea are prepared to let him go if City meet their valuation.

The next 24 hours could therefore determine Fernández’s future. Manchester City have until 5pm Friday to turn their long-standing interest into a formal offer. If they meet Chelsea’s £120 million demand, a blockbuster Premier League transfer could move rapidly. If they don’t, Chelsea’s position is that Fernández stays.

The reality: reports of a completed £120 million City bid are circulating, but as of Thursday evening, the reliable reporting does not confirm that an official offer has been accepted—or even formally submitted. The deadline is real; the transfer itself is not yet done.