Chelsea are prepared to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for the right price – and if they can improve their squad before the window closes.
There are not believed to have been any club-to-club talks between City and Chelsea yet, but Fernandez was left out of Thursday night’s Carabao Cup win over Luton.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said after the game that Fernandez is a “good professional” who has been training well, and a decision on whether he will be available for Sunday’s clash with Brighton will be taken nearer the time.
Man City’s interest continues despite missing Chelsea’s August 14 deadline to bid for Fernandez.
Fernandez ranked highly in a number of attacking metrics last season
Chelsea had agreed with Fernandez’s representatives that he could be sold for £120m by that deadline but an offer never arrived.
Alonso also said ahead of the Luton game they are “prepared for whatever” happens with any players who could leave before the deadline.
Among the players Chelsea are considering to bring in midfield are Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Both clubs consider those players unsellable, however.
City also have Scott as a midfield target as well as Roma’s Manu Kone.
Reinforcing central midfield has become an even bigger priority for City following Rodri’s departure to Barcelona earlier this month.
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Highlights of the La Liga match between Barcelona and Athletic Club
Nico Gonzalez has just left to join Newcastle in a transfer worth up to £50m, with Tijjani Reijnders recently departing for Al Qadsiah for £51m. Bernardo Silva also left City following the expiry of his contract and has since joined Real Madrid.
City this week completed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille with the midfielder moving to the Etihad Stadium for £86m in a world-record deal for a teenager.
England international Elliot Anderson joined City in a £116m deal from Nottingham Forest last month.
Why Alonso left Fernandez out against Luton
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Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso refused to be drawn on whether star midfielder Enzo Fernandez will be moving to Premier League rivals Manchester City
Alonso confirmed in his post-match press conference that he took the decision to leave Fernandez out of the matchday squad for Thursday night’s Carabao Cup second-round win over Luton.
“It was just because of the game,” Alonso said in his press conference after the win.
“We have other players who need minutes.”
Asked when he decided Fernandez would not play against Luton, Alonso replied: “In the afternoon. It’s a decision that I took.
“Enzo is a good professional. He’s training well and I have nothing to say about this. It was just decisions that we have to take thinking about the game that we were playing tonight. We will see for Sunday.”
Chelsea agree deal to sign Villa ‘keeper Martinez
Chelsea have agreed a deal worth £7.5m with Aston Villa to sign Emi Martinez.
Sky Sports News reported Chelsea were considering a late move for Martinez after current No 1 Robert Sanchez came under criticism after his error in Monday’s win at Fulham.
Martinez has needed to find a new club after Villa signed Zion Suzuki from Parma for nearly £30m.
He was the subject of interest from Juventus but they chose to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Spurs.
Question marks will now be raised over whether both Sanchez and Mike Penders will remain at Stamford Bridge for the season.
Penders started Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie with Luton on Thursday night, after Sanchez started v Fulham.
