Manchester City have taken another major step in their pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández after the Argentine reportedly reached a verbal agreement with the Premier League champions over personal terms.
However, despite the significant development, the proposed transfer is still far from completed. Manchester City have yet to submit an official offer to Chelsea, meaning negotiations between the two clubs will now become the decisive stage of the deal.
According to the latest reports, Fernández has agreed the contractual terms of a potential move to Manchester City, with the midfielder apparently open to making the switch before the summer transfer window closes. The agreement on personal terms removes one of the major obstacles for City, but Chelsea’s position remains crucial.
Chelsea are understood to be willing to consider selling the Argentina international only if the financial package meets their expectations and they have sufficient time and resources to strengthen their squad before the transfer deadline. The Blues have placed a valuation of around £120 million on Fernández, who joined the club from Benfica in January 2023 for a British record fee of £107 million.
Manchester City’s interest in Fernández has been building for several weeks as the club continues to reshape its midfield. City have already invested heavily in the position this summer, including the signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and highly rated teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille.
The club has also experienced significant departures in midfield. Rodri has moved to Barcelona, while Tijjani Reijnders joined Al Qadsiah and Nico González is reportedly heading to Newcastle. Those changes have increased the need for additional quality and depth in the centre of the pitch, making Fernández an attractive target for manager Enzo Maresca.
Fernández is no stranger to Maresca, having worked under the Italian coach at Chelsea before Maresca’s move to Manchester City. The Argentine midfielder has established himself as an important figure at Stamford Bridge since arriving from Benfica and has played a key role for both club and country.
The latest development comes after Manchester City previously failed to make a formal offer within a deadline Chelsea had set earlier in August. Despite that setback, City’s interest did not disappear, with the club continuing to explore whether a deal could be reached. Sky Sports reported on Friday that City were considering making a fresh approach for the midfielder before the transfer deadline.
The situation has now entered a critical stage. With Fernández’s personal terms reportedly agreed, attention will shift almost entirely to the negotiations between Manchester City and Chelsea. City must decide how much they are prepared to pay, while Chelsea will have to determine whether the proposed fee is enough to justify losing one of their most valuable midfielders.
Reports indicate that Manchester City are expected to maintain their pursuit until the final stages of the transfer window. However, Chelsea’s demands could ultimately determine whether the deal goes through.
The potential transfer would represent another major statement of intent from Manchester City as the club undergoes a significant midfield rebuild. Fernández’s ability to control possession, progress the ball, contribute defensively and create opportunities in the final third would provide Maresca with another technically gifted option in midfield.
For Chelsea, meanwhile, the situation presents a difficult decision. Losing Fernández would create a major gap in the squad, but a substantial transfer fee could give the club an opportunity to reinvest in several areas of the team. Chelsea have already been exploring potential midfield replacements, including Monaco’s Lamine Camara, as speculation surrounding Fernández’s future intensifies.
For now, Fernández remains a Chelsea player and Manchester City have not completed the deal. The player has reportedly agreed personal terms, but the crucial club-to-club negotiations are yet to take place.
With the transfer deadline approaching, the coming days could determine whether one of the summer’s biggest Premier League transfer stories ends with Fernández at the Etihad or staying at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City are prepared to keep pushing, Fernández has reportedly given his approval to the move, and Chelsea hold the key to the final decision. The transfer saga is therefore entering its most decisive stage, with the fee and Chelsea’s ability to replace the midfielder likely to determine whether the deal becomes reality.
