Speculation surrounding Enzo Fernandez's future has reached a fever pitch. Chelsea have given Manchester City an explicit deadline of 5 PM on August 14, demanding an official offer of €140 million (approximately £120 million).
The Blues are keen to avoid a protracted transfer saga running until September 1 and wish to have ample time to secure a replacement.
If City can close the deal by utilising funds from the sale of Rodri to Barcelona and Reinders to Al Qadisiyah, Chelsea will shift their focus toward defensive and holding midfielders under the guidance of Xabi Alonso.
Five candidates to replace Fernandez
1. Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
Status: Major transfer target.
Details: Chelsea have already made an offer for the 22-year-old Englishman, but Bournemouth promptly rejected the initial bid. The funds from Fernandez's sale would enable the Blues to enhance their offer and potentially seal the deal.
2. Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Status: Alternative option for holding midfielder.
Details: A top-profile deep-lying playmaker, whose presence would allow Moises Caicedo to operate in a more liberated box-to-box role within a two-man midfield setup.
3. Martin Subi Mendi (Arsenal)
Status: Tactical option under Xabi Alonso.
Details: The Spaniard has lost his starting position with the Gunners, especially with the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes limiting his game time. Subi Mendi has previously worked well with Alonso at Real Sociedad B; however, Mikel Arteta is reluctant to let him go.
4. Manu Kone (Roma)
Status: Athletic option in midfield.
Details: An exciting midfielder with excellent ball progression and pressing resistance. After featuring for France at the 2026 World Cup, he’s caught the eye of several leading European clubs.
5. Lamine Kamara (Monaco)
Status: Promising option for rotation.
Details: The 22-year-old Senegalese has impressed in Ligue 1, making him a viable option to support Romeo Lavia, Valentino Barco, and Jordan Henderson.
Tags: Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez, Manchester City, Alex Scott, Xabi Alonso, Transfers
