Chelsea have withdrawn the £120 million transfer terms made available for Enzo Fernández after Manchester City failed to submit an official bid before the club’s 5pm UK deadline.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea had not received any formal offer for the Argentina international when the deadline passed.
The £120 million verbal exit arrangement, which had been made available to Fernández’s representatives since the end of May, is now off the table.
Chelsea are therefore no longer prepared to make Fernández available for £120 million under those previous terms and are happy to keep the midfielder at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City Maintained Contact
Manchester City had remained in regular contact with Fernández’s representatives throughout the situation, including continued talks during the final 48 hours before Chelsea’s deadline.
However, City did not submit an official bid that met Chelsea’s conditions before 5pm.
The situation leaves Manchester City with a decision to make if they still want to pursue Fernández.
According to Romano, City could attempt to reopen negotiations under different conditions, but Chelsea's previous £120 million terms are no longer available.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Fernández at Chelsea, also indicated before the deadline that City were unlikely to complete the move on Friday.
Fernández Now Expected to Stay at Chelsea
With the deadline passed without an acceptable offer, Fernández is now expected to remain with Chelsea for the 2026/27 season.
Chelsea are comfortable with keeping the 25 year old midfielder and continuing with him as part of their plans.
Fernández joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for a British-record transfer package at the time and has since become an important member of the squad.
For Manchester City, the door has not necessarily been completely closed, but any future attempt would have to take place under new conditions.
For now, Chelsea have made their position clear... Enzo Fernández is no longer available for the £120 million terms that were offered to potential suitors before the deadline.