Chelsea make Enzo Fernandez decision as Man City miss deadline for £120million transfer

Manchester City have officially missed Chelsea’s deadline to sign Enzo Fernandez.

The Blues set a 5pm cut-off point on Friday for the Cityzens to complete a deal for Argentina star Fernandez.

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Having been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium as a potential replacement for Rodri, Chelsea informed their Premier League rivals they would have to meet the midfielder’s £120million asking price.

City were expected to prepare an offer for Fernandez, in a move that would have reunited him with ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

It is understood that Chelsea received no offers for the 25-year-old from any potential suitors.

And the terms and conditions to grant Fernandez a move away are now believed to be off the table after the deadline passed.

It remains to be seen whether City will still try and make an offer post-deadline.

But as it stands, Fernandez is expected to remain in west London beyond the window.

While a deal would now appear to be dead in the water after City failed to meet their deadline, Maresca’s comments hours earlier suggest there could yet be another twist.

What has Enzo Maresca said about Enzo Fernandez?

Speaking ahead of his side’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal on Sunday, the Italian appeared unfazed about Fernandez.

Maresca admitted on midday on Friday that City would not be making a move for the Chelsea star before 5pm that evening.

Asked about the cut-off point, Maresca said: “I don’t think we’re going to do something today.”

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The City boss also said of Fernandez: “He is a player from another club.

“I don’t think it’s correct to talk about other players. I’m not going to say anything about players who are not with us.”

Having only ruled out any business for Fernandez on Friday, Maresca appeared to suggest that City would make further additions this summer, pointing out they have until transfer deadline day on September 1.

He added: “When the window is open, we can buy players and we can sell players.

“For sure there are things that we need to do, can be one can be two [new signings], it depends if they want to leave.”

Could Chelsea be playing a ‘game of poker?’

With Maresca remaining coy on City’s interest in Fernandez, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook and Gabby Agbonlahor both questioned if Chelsea will hold firm on their stance.

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Crook suggested Maresca could be deliberately looking to test his former club’s resolve, having left Stamford Bridge in January after a breakdown in relations at the club.

Speaking on Friday’s talkSPORT, Crook said: “It’s a game of poker, isn’t it? Enzo Maresca’s playing the game there. I’m sure he delivered it with a glint in his eye. 

“I’m suspicious of this hard deadline. That’s the information we’re getting out of Chelsea. 

“If the £120m offer is not made in written format today by 5pm, then Enzo Fernandez won’t be going anywhere this summer.”

Agbonlahor also questioned Chelsea’s ultimatum over Fernandez, insisting City are well within their rights to try and sign him anytime before the transfer window closes.

He chimed in: “I don’t like the fact that you’re giving them an ultimatum today when there’s still over two weeks left of the transfer window. 

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“If I’m Manchester City, we’ll do it in our own time.”

A move for Fernandez was believed to hinge on Rodri leaving Man City to join Barcelona.

LaLiga giants Barca are reportedly readying a third bid for the Spain captain, after having a second offer rejected.

Fernandez is among the Cityzens’ potential replacements and now faces an uncertain future in west London, after he previously fuelled rumours of his exit.

The Blues midfielder heavily hinted at a move to Real Madrid towards the end of last season, only for the Spanish giants to shut this down in a statement saying they have ‘no intention’ of signing him.

While Man City have an interest in Fernandez, talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs recently suggested his £120m asking price could be an obstacle.

The Cityzens have so far signed Elliot Anderson for £116m, while they are now in advanced talks with Lille over Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, for a fee expected to be in the region of £100m.

Jacobs claimed this could leave City reluctant to make another nine-digit transfer this summer.