Chelsea make new demand over Enzo Fernandez transfer which may change everything

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Chelsea are now seeking more than €140million (£120m) to allow Enzo Fernandez to leave the club, according to The Telegraph’s Matt Law.

The news could have huge ramifications for Manchester City, who want to sign Fernandez before the transfer window closes in England next Tuesday (1 September).

Man City are yet to table an offer for the 25-year-old, according to The Telegraph reporter 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

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 54

  Games

• 15

  Goals

• 8

  Assists

View all stats

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

And now the Blues are believed to have raised their asking price for the Argentina international with time running 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.

Xabi Alonso’s side hold an interest in signing Lamine Camara but BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella understands Monaco want to keep hold of the midfielder.

Chelsea also see potential deals for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi as too difficult to do at this stage, according to The Telegraph's Law.

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

Alonso omitted Fernandez from Chelsea squad which beat Luton

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

Blues manager Alonso said he made the decision not to include Fernandez due to the ongoing speculation surrounding his future.

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

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

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

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.