Chelsea have given Manchester City and any other interested club until 5pm UK time on Friday to submit a £120million net bid for Enzo Fernandez, with the midfielder expected to stay at Stamford Bridge if the valuation is not met.
The Blues are looking to bring months of uncertainty surrounding the Argentina international to an end before the new Premier League season begins.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Chelsea have now set a firm cut-off for any club wanting to sign Fernandez this summer.
Manchester City remain interested, but Chelsea will not allow negotiations to drag on indefinitely.
Chelsea set firm Enzo Fernandez transfer terms
Chelsea want a £120m net bid by 5pm on Friday, with the 25-year-old otherwise staying at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Ben Jacobs has also reported that the valuation is effectively a take-it-or-leave-it figure as Chelsea seek a definitive resolution before competitive football begins.
The development represents another significant turn in Fernandez’s future.
ReadChelsea reported on Tuesday that Fernandez was increasingly expected to stay despite continued interest from Manchester City and elsewhere.
Chelsea’s position now makes the route to an exit extremely clear.
Any interested club has less than two days to meet the Blues’ valuation, otherwise Xabi Alonso can plan for Fernandez to remain part of his midfield for the new campaign.
City’s interest has intensified as uncertainty continues around Rodri’s future, but meeting Chelsea’s £120m demand would require another enormous investment.
For Chelsea, Friday evening should finally provide clarity.
Either Fernandez becomes the subject of one of the biggest transfers of the summer or the Blues close the door on an exit and move forward with the Argentina midfielder in Alonso’s squad.
