The five players Chelsea could sign to replace Enzo Fernandez

14 Aug 2026 09:05 BST | 5 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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After months of pining for Real Madrid, Enzo Fernandez now looks set to reunite with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca at Manchester City.

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The Argentina midfielder has been heavily linked with a Stamford Bridge exit for several months, with his agent repeatedly stating that a transfer will be explored this summer, and he will secure a departure if City are willing to match Chelsea’s demands.

The eight-time Premier League champions have been told that a deal will take place if they submit a €140 million offer before 5pm on Friday 14 August. If not, City have been informed that Fernandez will not be joining the club this summer.

Current ETV

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€83.3M - €101.8M

Chelsea want to avoid a long-running transfer saga that drags towards Deadline Day on 1 September and they are keen to allow themselves adequate time to sign a successor to Fernandez if Man City are successful in their bid to secure his signature.

It remains to be seen if City will comply, given they have already signed Elliot Anderson for €135m and are close to finalising a deal worth at least €100m for Ayyoub Bouaddi, but reports indicate that Fernandez is edging closer towards an Etihad Stadium switch.

Furthermore, Man City look set to sell Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al-Qadsiah in order to fund a bid for the Argentina superstar.

Amid Cole Palmer’s recent woes, Fernandez has scored 24 goals across the past two seasons, but he is set to play a deeper role under Alonso, if he stays, and given the arrival of Morgan Rogers, it’s likely that Chelsea would pursue a more defensive option if the Argentina star is sold.

So, who could Chelsea sign to replace Fernandez if Man City match their €140m asking price?

Alex Scott (Bournemouth)

The most likely candidate to replace Fernandez at Chelsea appears to be Alex Scott, who has been on the Blues’ radar for the entire summer.

Xabi Alonso’s side have already seen an opening offer rejected by Bournemouth and while the Cherries have no interest in sanctioning a sale, they could be tempted if Chelsea use their Fernandez funds to lodge an improved bid.

Scott was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League last season and the Blues hierarchy believe he would be an excellent fit in Alonso’s system.

Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Fellow Englishman Adam Wharton is also wanted by Chelsea, with the Blues’ admiration for the midfielder dating back to his time at Blackburn Rovers.

Wharton is a deeper midfielder than Scott and his possible arrival would free up Moises Caicedo to play a more box-to-box role in Alonso’s double pivot, which would certainly suit the Ecuadorian’s skillset.

However, transfer speculation around Wharton has undoubtedly died down since the start of the summer window and it’s expected that a hefty bid will be required to tempt Palace into a sale before Deadline Day.

Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal)

Martin Zubimendi has emerged as a possible target for Chelsea since Arsenal’s €87.5m signing of Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes.

The Spain international lost his starting XI place to Myles Lewis-Skelly during the latter stages of last season and Guimaraes’ arrival threatens his place in Mikel Arteta’s plans even further.

Zubimendi worked with Chelsea boss Alonso at Real Sociedad B and the pair have previously expressed their great admiration for each other. It’s claimed that Alonso wants to reunite with the Arsenal midfielder at Stamford Bridge, although FootballTransfers understands that Arteta has no interest in sanctioning a sale.

Manu Kone (AS Roma)

Following his eye-catching form for France at the 2026 World Cup, it was widely expected that Manu Kone would leave AS Roma in order to complete a move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

However, he remains a Roma player and links with Manchester United have certainly died down over the past few weeks. Chelsea have also been tipped as potential suitors and the Blues may opt to rekindle their interest in the Frenchman if Fernandez departs.

Kone is an all-action midfielder with immense ball-carrying ability, and his press resistance is certainly a trait that Alonso would love.

Lamine Camara (AS Monaco)

Finally, Lamine Camara has excelled since his €15m move to AS Monaco in 2024 and he has developed into one of the most underrated midfielders in Europe during that time.

Rumours suggest the Senegal star is eager to secure a transfer before Deadline Day and he is wanted by a host of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea. Meanwhile, it’s understood that Crystal Palace have already seen an opening bid rejected by Monaco.

Camara certainly isn’t the finished product at 22 years old, however Chelsea could look to bring him in as a rotation option alongside Romeo Lavia, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson, with Reece James therefore used as Caicedo’s first-choice midfield partner.