Chelsea have set Manchester City a 5pm deadline to submit a £120 million transfer bid for midfielder Enzo Fernández, according to reports from Sky Sports and BBC Sport. The Stamford Bridge club is standing firm on its valuation and timeframe as negotiations unfold during the summer transfer window.
Chelsea Set £120 Million Asking Price and Deadline for Enzo Fernández
Chelsea have informed Manchester City that they must meet the £120 million asking price before the 5pm deadline, according to BBC Sport and Sky Sports. Fernández has been publicly pushing for a move away from Stamford Bridge since March, having previously attracted interest from Real Madrid, according to reports by Nyle Smith of The Sun. Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is an admirer of the Argentina international, according to The Independent, as the Premier League champions search for midfield reinforcements.
Relations between Chelsea and Manchester City remain tense following compensation disputes involving Maresca’s departure from Stamford Bridge, according to The Independent. City were forced to pay Chelsea £17 million in compensation after Maresca stepped down last season, leaving Chelsea officials feeling let down while negotiations were ongoing, as reported by The Independent. Despite these strained ties, City are weighing a move for Fernández to bolster their squad should current midfielder Rodri depart.
Manchester City Reject Barcelona Bids for Rodri
Manchester City have rejected a second transfer bid from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri, according to reporting by Kostas Lianos for The Sun. After turning down an initial £40 million offer last week, City also rebuffed an improved £55 million proposal from the Catalan club, according to The Sun. Manchester City are seeking upwards of £60 million to £70 million for the 30-year-old midfielder, who has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, according to The Sun and The Times.
While Manchester City’s preference is for Rodri to sign a new contract rather than sell him, the club will not stand in his way should he explicitly ask to leave, according to Sky Sports and reported by The Sun.
Premier League Transfer Activity and Squad Updates
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has signed a new five-year contract keeping him at the Etihad until 2031, according to Manchester United reporter Katherine Walsh via The Sun. Doku, who joined City from Rennes in 2023 for £55 million, cited manager Enzo Maresca’s style of play as a primary factor in his decision to stay. The Belgian international has recorded 22 goals and 34 assists in 131 appearances.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are involved in wide-ranging discussions with Galatasaray regarding potential player movements, according to Alex McCarthy of The Sun and journalist Florian Plettenberg via The Independent. Galatasaray have tabled a £38.5m bid for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli and have expressed interest in young midfielder Ethan Nwaneri, while Victor Osimhen’s name has also surfaced in talks between the clubs, according to The Sun and The Independent.
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