Chelsea Set Friday Deadline For £120m Enzo Fernandez Bids

Chelsea have set a firm Friday deadline for clubs interested in signing Enzo Fernandez, with the Premier League side demanding a minimum fee of £120 million for the Argentina midfielder.

According to Ireporter Online, the club has given potential suitors until 5pm BST on Friday to submit offers as it seeks to resolve uncertainty surrounding Fernandez’s future before the new season begins.

The 25-year-old’s position at Stamford Bridge has remained uncertain since March, when he was reportedly open to the possibility of joining Real Madrid. His agent, Javier Pastore, subsequently suggested that the midfielder was unhappy with his situation and could consider leaving Chelsea.

Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for a British-record fee of £107 million, but the London club is now seeking £120 million to sanction his departure.

Real Madrid have reportedly ruled out a move for the Argentine, leaving Manchester City as the main known potential destination. However, City have not indicated that they are prepared to meet Chelsea’s valuation and are also pursuing Lille midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi.

Chelsea believe interested clubs have had enough time to negotiate a possible transfer, with the club reportedly allowing around two months for discussions.

The Blues are therefore expected to reject any proposal below their £120 million asking price before Friday’s deadline. The move is intended to provide clarity for both the club and Fernandez as Chelsea prepare for the new campaign.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has already spoken with Fernandez about his future but has declined to reveal details of their conversation.

Chelsea have also made it clear that they would be happy to keep the midfielder if no acceptable offer arrives. The club continues to regard Fernandez as an important member of the squad and is prepared to reintegrate him fully into Alonso’s plans.

Despite Chelsea’s disappointing 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season, Fernandez enjoyed an impressive individual campaign, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists in 54 appearances.

He also featured prominently for Argentina as they reached the 2026 World Cup final, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain after Fernandez was sent off.

Fernandez returned to Chelsea training this week and has begun working under Alonso for the first time. With the deadline approaching, his future at Stamford Bridge could be decided within days.