Confirmed: Chelsea have a 'mystery target' as Alonso eyes late Deadline Day signing

Updated: 1 Sept 2026 12:24 BST | 4 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Chelsea are chasing a “mystery target” from the Premier League ahead of the transfer window closing today, according to The Telegraph.

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The Blues are reportedly holding off on allowing Enzo Fernandez to join Manchester City until they can source a replacement for him.

The Telegraph’s Matt Law claims Chelsea have rejected one proposal from Man City, with Xabi Alonso’s side wanting a better fee and payment terms.

Chelsea are interested in both Lamine Camara of Monaco and Manu Kone of Roma, with talks believed to be ongoing with both clubs.

And the west London outfit are also pursuing an unidentified player who is not believed to be Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with Bournemouth star Alex Scott but their Premier League counterparts insist he is not for sale this summer.

Fernandez believed to be keen on Maresca reunion

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

The former Benfica midfielder was left out of the Chelsea squads which faced Luton Town in the Carabao Cup and Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League earlier this month.

Blues boss Alonso said he made the decision not to include Fernandez in either squad due to the intense speculation surrounding his future.

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

Fernandez has developed a reputation as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since joining Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023.

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

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

City meanwhile are in the process of rebuilding their midfield following the sales of Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez this summer.

The 10-time league champions want Fernandez to form a mouth-watering midfield trio alongside new arrivals Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

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.