Will Man City Make Enzo Fernandez Bid? Enzo Maresca Delivers Response Amid Chelsea Transfer Deadline | OneFootball

Fernandez was among the last of the Chelsea players to report back for pre-season.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca was tight-lipped on the club’s potential move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer.

Chelsea have set a deadline for suitors to submit an offer for Fernandez if he is to leave the club this summer.

Chelsea will only consider bids that match their £120 million asking price for the midfielder until 5pm (UK) on Friday, August 14. Otherwise, Fernandez stays.

While Fernandez has been linked with several clubs throughout the summer, Manchester City are understood to be the most likely destination if he were to leave Chelsea.

Manchester City are therefore expected to make their move on the last day, since Chelsea did not receive any official offer for the Argentina international on Thursday.

Ahead of Manchester City's Community Shield clash against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, Maresca was quizzed on speculation linking the club with the 25-year-old.

"In this moment, again, I have to give you the same answer since day one,” Maresca told reporters.

"It will always be the same. It's a player from another club, and I don't think it's correct to speak about other players. At the same time, I don't think it's correct when other clubs speak about our players.

“That's why I'm not going to say anything about players that are not with us."

However, the Italian did not deny that Man City still plan to bolster their squad this summer before the window shuts.

"For sure, there are things we need to do,” Maresca added. "For now, how many, I don't know. It can be one, it can be two. Depends also if players are going to leave. It depends.”

Whether Man City were expected to do any business on Friday amid the deadline, Maresca concluded: "Not today, to be honest. I don't think we're going to do something today."

Manchester City have reached an agreement with Saudi club Al-Qadsiah for midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. Barcelona are also expected to submit another bid for Rodri after Manchester City rejected their £55m bid, as reported by Sky Sports.

If Manchester City lose both Reijnders and Rodri, they would naturally be after a replacement in midfield and likely have the funds to meet Chelsea’s asking price for Fernandez.

Chelsea’s midfield situation

Fernandez reported in for pre-season duty on Tuesday alongside several others who were on extended breaks after the World Cup.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has already confirmed publicly that he wants to keep Fernandez at the club, and the club is ready for the Argentine to remain in its 2026-27 plans.

The club may be in the market for a replacement if Fernandez leaves, but they have already brought in two midfielders this summer, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson.

Additionally, Chelsea still have Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Dario Essugo in midfield. Reece James is also fully capable of playing in central midfield.

Chelsea will play their final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, August 15.

The Fernandez transfer saga is an unnecessary distraction ahead of the match, but thanks to the deadline, it should at least be resolved before the fixture.

Chelsea have over a week to prepare for their season-opening match against Fulham in the Premier League at Craven Cottage on August 24.