Chelsea learn the exact cost of replacing Enzo Fernandez amid Man City pursuit

Updated: 30 Aug 2026 07:42 BST | 5 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Chelsea would need to pay around €60million (£51.3m) to prize Lamine Camara away from Monaco, according to reports in France.

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RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins claims the Blues have intimated they would be willing to pay around €40m (£34.2m) for the 22-year-old.

However, the proposal has reportedly been knocked back by Ligue 1 side Monaco, who are keen to keep hold of one of their star players.

Chelsea have identified Camara as a possible replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who is wanted by Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Man City are looking to complete their midfield rebuild by deploying Fernandez alongside new signings Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

But City are yet to table an offer for Fernandez, according to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, and no club-to-club talks have taken place with Chelsea.

STATS

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

54

Games
15

Goals
8

Assists

Chelsea set an unofficial deadline for interested parties to sign the 25-year-old for €140m (£120m) earlier this month - a window City allowed to pass.

And now Xabi Alonso’s side are believed to have raised their asking price for the Argentina international as time runs out to complete a deal.

A transfer is further complicated by the fact that Chelsea will only sanction Fernandez’s sale if they are able to source a late replacement.

The west London club are also interested in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi, in addition to Senegal international Camara.

© IMAGO - Alex Scott (left) and Martin Zubimendi (right)

Camara has developed a reputation as one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 since joining Monaco from Metz for €15m (£12.8m) in July 2024.

He has registered seven goals and 11 assists in two seasons with the principality club, who finished seventh in France’s top flight last term.

Fernandez meanwhile has become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since joining Chelsea from Benfica for €124m (£106m) in January 2023.

Enzo Fernández with the goal that booked @ChelseaFC a spot in the 2026 #EmiratesFACup Final 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/e7RMwjMQ9k
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 26, 2026

He has recorded 30 goals and 31 assists in 170 games for Chelsea, winning the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup double in 2025.

Fernandez has also scored eight goals in 49 caps for Argentina, with whom he won the World Cup at Qatar 2022. He also helped them reach this summer’s showpiece in North America.

Fernandez interested in reunion with Maresca at Man City

Fernandez is reportedly keen on a reunion with City head coach Enzo Maresca, with the pair having worked together at Chelsea.

Former Benfica star Fernandez was left out of the Chelsea squad which beat Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening.

© IMAGO - Enzo Maresca (left) and Enzo Fernandez (right)

Manager Alonso said he made the decision not to include Fernandez due to the intense speculation surrounding his future.

“I said we need the players that are in the best situation to play,” Alonso told reporters at full time at Stamford Bridge.

“We need to take everything into consideration: players that are in a good moment and players that are not feeling that energy to play. For me, it is very important they feel this desire to play and to have good preparation.”