Transfer Deadline Day has come early for Chelsea as they attempt to resolve Enzo Fernandez’s future one way or another.
The Argentina international has flirted with the idea of leaving Chelsea since the turn of the year, with comments about dreaming of living in Madrid leading to him being punished by the club for the FA Cup quarter-final tie against Port Vale in April.
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However, with Real Madrid issuing a statement confirming they had no intention of pursuing the midfielder this summer, it has left Fernandez with just one exit route...Manchester City.
Were the 25-year-old to join Man City, he will be reunited with the former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, though time is running out for a deal to completed.
So, with an imposed deadline set, what does the next few hours look like regarding this transfer saga?
When is the deadline?
The deadline comes alongside Chelsea’s asking price of £120million, meaning Man City will have to shatter their transfer record twice in the same summer after spending £116m on Elliot Anderson.
Chelsea stance
Chelsea have made it clear. They will not sanction Fernandez' sale until summer 2027 at the earliest, if Friday’s aforementioned deadline passes without any formal offers.
Standard Sport understands this means a sale would not be considered by Chelsea in the January transfer window, as they are not open to selling the midfielder until next summer at the earliest,
That said, it is unclear whether the Blues would soften their stance if bids at a lower value were made or offers were lodged after Friday’s deadline.
Man City stance
Maresca has said he doesn't expect Man City to complete any transfer business on Friday, providing a fresh twist to the saga.
“Not today, to be honest. I don't think we're going to do something today,” the Italian told reporters in Friday morning’s pre-Arsenal press conference.
Now, Maresca was said to have been smiling while delivering his response so it could be a case of keeping his cards close to his chest.
Bid ‘ready’
Standard Sport reported on Thursday that such reports of City making a £102.5m bid for Fernandez and communicating it to Chelsea were inaccurate.
In fact, as of 5pm on August 14 - 24 hours before their arbitrary deadline - Chelsea had received no bids for Fernandez.
Now, according to reports in Italy, via Gianluca Di Marzio, Man City’s offer of £120m for Fernandez is 'ready', but will it be submitted before 5pm BST?
