Man City to Launch Formal Enzo Fernández Bid as Chelsea Set £120m Price

Manchester City are set to submit a formal offer for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández before the summer transfer window closes, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, as City look to finally push through a deal that has simmered for much of the summer.

Chelsea had previously given City a deadline of 5pm on Friday, August 14 to lodge a bid for the Argentina international, a deadline the Premier League champions missed. Despite that, reports suggest a deal remains firmly alive, with City now prepared to meet Chelsea's asking price of around £120m.

Fernández is understood to have given City the "green light" to pursue a move, with personal terms reportedly not viewed as an obstacle. The 25-year-old is said to be drawn to the prospect of reuniting with Enzo Maresca, his former manager at Chelsea, who has since taken charge at the Etihad.

City's midfield has been significantly reshaped this summer following the departures of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders, alongside forward exits including Omar Marmoush and Savinho. Reports suggest the club has generated more than €400m in transfer income from outgoing deals this summer, giving Maresca considerable financial firepower to reinvest.

Chelsea's position, though, remains firm. The west London club has stressed that any sale of Fernández would only be sanctioned if the fee meets their valuation and they are able to bring in a high-level replacement in time. New Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso addressed the situation after his side's 3-2 win over Fulham, saying he was not surprised by anything in football and that he hoped for clarity on Fernández's future "this week."

Chelsea have already explored potential alternatives, including Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, though the south coast club has so far resisted approaches. That search for a replacement could prove decisive in whether Chelsea ultimately sanction Fernández's exit before deadline day.

Fernández was one of Chelsea's standout performers last season despite a difficult tenth-placed Premier League finish for the club, and remains regarded as one of the squad's most technically gifted midfielders. Losing him would represent a notable blow to Chelsea's midfield options, even with a replacement lined up.

City, meanwhile, view Fernández as a statement addition to rebuild a midfield stripped of experience this summer. Romano's update — "Manchester City are set to send formal bid before the end of the window for Enzo Fernández" — has added fresh urgency to a story that has rumbled on for weeks without a resolution.

With City's bid imminent and Chelsea holding firm on their financial demands, the coming days look set to determine whether Fernández makes the move across Manchester's derby divide — or whether Chelsea manage to keep hold of one of their most important players for another season.