Overview
- Chelsea set a 5pm Friday deadline for any club to meet their £120m valuation and that deadline passed with no offer received.
- Manchester City remained the leading suitor because manager Enzo Maresca wants Fernández but Maresca said the club would not complete a signing before the deadline.
- Several outlets reported City’s proposal was about €120m (roughly £102.5m) and that Fernández had agreed personal terms, though those reports did not close the fee gap with Chelsea.
- City have moved to raise cash, with Tijjani Reijnders reported close to a £51m–£60m sale to Al‑Qadsiah and Barcelona negotiations for Rodri ongoing, and those exits would be needed to fund any revived bid.
- With Fernández under a long contract and Chelsea standing firm on price, the player is expected to remain at Stamford Bridge for the start of the season unless City secure enough sales to reopen negotiations before the window closes.